ICD-10-CM K51 is the diagnosis code for Ulcerative colitis. This code falls under the section "Noninfective enteritis and colitis" within Chapter 11 — Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.
The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as K51. They are mutually exclusive:
Understanding where K51 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
No, K51 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.
K51 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Ulcerative colitis". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
K51 is located in Section K50-K52 — "Noninfective enteritis and colitis" within Chapter 11 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
K51 has 7 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: K51.0, K51.2, K51.3, K51.4, K51.5 and more.
Use K51 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Ulcerative colitis" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.
The ICD-10-CM code for Ulcerative colitis is K51.
No, K51 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.
K51 is in Chapter 11 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Type 1 Excludes for K51 include: Crohn's disease [regional enteritis] (K50.-).
Yes, K51 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.