ICD-10-CM K81 is the diagnosis code for Cholecystitis. 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.
The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as K81. They are mutually exclusive:
Understanding where K81 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
No, K81 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.
K81 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Cholecystitis". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
K81 is located in Section K80-K87 — "Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas" within Chapter 11 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
K81 has 4 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: K81.0, K81.1, K81.2, K81.9.
Use K81 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Cholecystitis" 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 Cholecystitis is K81.
No, K81 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.
K81 is in Chapter 11 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Type 1 Excludes for K81 include: cholecystitis with cholelithiasis (K80.-).
Yes, K81 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.