K85
Non-Billable

Acute pancreatitis

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Acute pancreatitis?

ICD-10-CM K85 is the diagnosis code for Acute pancreatitis. This code falls under the section "Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas" 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.

Coding Guidelines for K85

Always refer to the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List for complete coding guidelines. Ensure documentation supports the specificity of the code selected. When in doubt, consult a certified medical coder or the latest CMS guidelines.

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where K85 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 6 entries
K85.0Idiopathic acute pancreatitisNon-BillableK85.00Idiopathic acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infectionBillableK85.01Idiopathic acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosisBillableK85.02Idiopathic acute pancreatitis with infected necrosisBillableK85.1Biliary acute pancreatitisNon-BillableK85.10Biliary acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infectionBillableK85.11Biliary acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosisBillableK85.12Biliary acute pancreatitis with infected necrosisBillableK85.2Alcohol induced acute pancreatitisNon-BillableK85.20Alcohol induced acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infectionBillableK85.21Alcohol induced acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosisBillableK85.22Alcohol induced acute pancreatitis with infected necrosisBillableK85.3Drug induced acute pancreatitisNon-BillableK85.30Drug induced acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infectionBillableK85.31Drug induced acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosisBillableK85.32Drug induced acute pancreatitis with infected necrosisBillableK85.8Other acute pancreatitisNon-BillableK85.80Other acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infectionBillableK85.81Other acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosisBillableK85.82Other acute pancreatitis with infected necrosisBillableK85.9Acute pancreatitis, unspecifiedNon-BillableK85.90Acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection, unspecifiedBillableK85.91Acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis, unspecifiedBillableK85.92Acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis, unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is K85 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, K85 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does K85 mean?

K85 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Acute pancreatitis". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is K85 in?

K85 is located in Section K80-K87 — "Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas" within Chapter 11 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of K85?

K85 has 6 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: K85.0, K85.1, K85.2, K85.3, K85.8 and more.

When should I use K85?

Use K85 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Acute pancreatitis" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Acute pancreatitis?

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute pancreatitis is K85.

Can K85 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, K85 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is K85 in?

K85 is in Chapter 11 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is K85 valid for 2026?

Yes, K85 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousK83.9Disease of biliary tract, unspecifiedNext →K85.0Idiopathic acute pancreatitis
Code Details
K85
Acute pancreatitis
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
11 — Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
K80-K87 — Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas
2026 ICD-10-CM