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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesHerniaICD-10-CM k46-unspecified-abdominal-hernia
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Unspecified Abdominal Hernia: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group K46 includes unspecified abdominal hernias, covering herniation of abdominal contents through defects in the abdominal wall when a more specific location or type is not documented. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical encounters involving abdominal wall defects, capturing details about incarceration, obstruction, or associated complications when present. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM K46 group supports proper claim adjudication.

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    ICD-10-CM K46: Unspecified Abdominal Hernia Overview

    The ICD-10-CM K46 group covers unspecified abdominal hernias, representing protrusions of abdominal contents through a weakness or defect in the abdominal wall. These diagnoses target the integumentary and digestive system interface where herniation occurs. Accurate coding matters for reimbursement because it supports procedure justification and claim adjudication by documenting the presenting problem and related complexity.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when clinical documentation identifies an abdominal hernia but lacks specificity about the anatomic location or hernia subtype. Choose these codes for encounters addressing symptoms, evaluation, or treatment of an abdominal wall hernia when no more specific ICD-10-CM code applies.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    3 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    K46.0Unspecified abdominal hernia with obstruction, without gangrene
    K46.1Unspecified abdominal hernia with gangrene
    K46.9Unspecified abdominal hernia without obstruction or gangrene

    DRG Codes

    5 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    393Other Digestive System Diagnoses with MCC
    394Other Digestive System Diagnoses with CC
    395Other Digestive System Diagnoses without CC/MCC
    791Prematurity with Major Problems
    793Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An elderly patient presents to the emergency department with sudden onset severe abdominal pain, distention, nausea, and vomiting after a fall; exam reveals a tender, irreducible bulge in the abdominal wall and imaging shows incarcerated bowel without clear skin breakdown. The acute obstructive symptoms and inability to reduce the hernia prompt assignment of an unspecified abdominal hernia code when the exact anatomic subtype is not documented. Typical codes: K46.1, K46.9
    • A middle-aged patient with multiple prior abdominal surgeries is seen in clinic for a chronic, intermittently palpable midline abdominal wall defect that occasionally causes discomfort with heavy lifting but is reducible and not strangulated. This long-standing postoperative abdominal wall weakening is coded as an unspecified abdominal hernia when the record does not specify whether the defect is ventral, incisional, or umbilical. Typical codes: K46.9
    • A patient hospitalized for severe sepsis is noted on admission to have a nonreducible abdominal wall hernia with signs of compromised blood flow to the overlying skin and underlying soft tissue; the hernia contributes to the current inpatient management and complicates surgical planning. Because the hernia is clinically significant and not otherwise classified in the documentation, an unspecified abdominal hernia code reflecting incarceration/strangulation status is assigned. Typical codes: K46.0, K46.1

    Related Codes

    K40-INGUINAL-HERNIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Inguinal Hernia: Group Overview

    K41-FEMORAL-HERNIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Femoral Hernia: Group Overview

    K42-UMBILICAL-HERNIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Umbilical Hernia: Group Overview

    K43-VENTRAL-HERNIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Ventral Hernia: Group Overview

    K44-DIAPHRAGMATIC-HERNIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Diaphragmatic Hernia: Group Overview

    K45-OTHER-ABDOMINAL-HERNIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Abdominal Hernia: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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