Inguinal hernia (K40) ICD-10-CM
The K40 code range covers inguinal hernia with 19 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 12 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- bubonocele
- direct inguinal hernia
- double inguinal hernia
- indirect inguinal hernia
- inguinal hernia NOS
- oblique inguinal hernia
- scrotal hernia
Codes in the K40 Range 19 codes · 12 billable
- K40 Inguinal herniaNon-billable
- K40.0 Bilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangreneNon-billable
- K40.00 Bilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene, not specified as recurrent
- K40.01 Bilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene, recurrent
- K40.1 Bilateral inguinal hernia, with gangreneNon-billable
- K40.10 Bilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, not specified as recurrent
- K40.11 Bilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, recurrent
- K40.2 Bilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangreneNon-billable
- K40.20 Bilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, not specified as recurrent
- K40.21 Bilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, recurrent
- K40.3 Unilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangreneNon-billable
- K40.30 Unilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene, not specified as recurrent
- K40.31 Unilateral inguinal hernia, with obstruction, without gangrene, recurrent
- K40.4 Unilateral inguinal hernia, with gangreneNon-billable
- K40.40 Unilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, not specified as recurrent
- K40.41 Unilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, recurrent
- K40.9 Unilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangreneNon-billable
- K40.90 Unilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, not specified as recurrent
- K40.91 Unilateral inguinal hernia, without obstruction or gangrene, recurrent
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the K40 range.
Hernia, Inguinal
An abdominal hernia with an external bulge in the GROIN region. It can be classified by the location of herniation. Indirect inguinal hernias occur through the internal inguinal ring. Direct inguinal hernias occur through defects in the ABDOMINAL WALL (transversalis fascia) in Hesselbach's triangle. The former type is commonly seen in children and young adults; the latter in adults.
About the K40 Code Range
An inguinal hernia is an abdominal hernia that forms an outward bulge in the groin.
Under K40, subdivisions separate hernias on both sides (bilateral) from those on one side (unilateral). Each group then distinguishes obstruction without gangrene, gangrene, and neither obstruction nor gangrene. The more detailed codes separate recurrent hernias from those not specified as recurrent.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the K40 range?
Of the 19 codes in this range, 12 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 K40 range classify?
The range classifies inguinal hernia. 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.
