Cholecystitis (K81) ICD-10-CM
The K81 code range covers cholecystitis with 5 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 4 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
- cholecystitis with cholelithiasis K80
Codes in the K81 Range 5 codes · 4 billable
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the K81 range.
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the GALLBLADDER; generally caused by impairment of BILE flow, GALLSTONES in the BILIARY TRACT, infections, or other diseases.
Cholecystitis, Acute
Acute inflammation of the GALLBLADDER wall. It is characterized by the presence of ABDOMINAL PAIN; FEVER; and LEUKOCYTOSIS. Gallstone obstruction of the CYSTIC DUCT is present in approximately 90% of the cases.
Chronic Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis that is persistent and long-standing.
About the K81 Code Range
Cholecystitis means inflammation of the gallbladder.
K81 separates acute cholecystitis (K81.0) from chronic cholecystitis (K81.1). K81.2 describes acute and chronic cholecystitis together. K81.9 does not specify either form.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the K81 range?
Of the 5 codes in this range, 4 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the K81 range classify?
The range classifies cholecystitis. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
