K81

Non-billable

Cholecystitis

K81 is the ICD-10-CM code for Cholecystitis. It is a non-billable category code — use a more specific child code such as K81.0 for billing.

Status
Header (non-billable)
Chapter
K00-K95
Subcodes
4
Edition
FY2026

K00-K95 Diseases of the digestive system

What this means — in plain language

MedlinePlus · NIH

Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ under your liver. It stores bile, a fluid made by your liver to digest fat. As your stomach and intestines digest food, your gallbladder releases bile through a tube called the common bile duct. The duct connects your gallbladder and liver to your small intestine. Your gallbladder is most likely to give you trouble if something blocks the flow of bile through the bile ducts .…

Read more about Gallbladder Diseases at MedlinePlus ↗

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Informational only — not medical advice.

Excludes1 — not coded here

  • cholecystitis with cholelithiasis (K80.-)

Use additional code

  • code if applicable for associated gangrene of gallbladder (K82.A1), or perforation of gallbladder (K82.A2)

Medications indicated for this condition

FDA labeling

Drugs whose FDA labeling lists this condition's category among its indications. Informational only — not a treatment recommendation or medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code K81?
K81 is the ICD-10-CM code for "Cholecystitis". It falls under K00-K95 Diseases of the digestive system.
Is K81 a billable code?
No — K81 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code (such as K81.0) for billing.
What are the subcodes of K81?
K81 has 4 more specific child codes, including K81.0, K81.1, K81.2.
What is excluded from K81?
Excludes1 (not coded here): cholecystitis with cholelithiasis (K80.-).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM FY2026. For informational purposes only — not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.

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