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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDisorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreasICD-10-CM k81-cholecystitis
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Cholecystitis: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group K81 includes acute cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis, and other specified forms of gallbladder inflammation including cases with complications such as gangrene or perforation. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical presentations of gallbladder inflammation, capturing disease severity, complications, and organ involvement relevant to this group. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM K81 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM K81: Cholecystitis Overview

    The ICD-10-CM K81 group encompasses acute, chronic, and other specified forms of inflammation of the gallbladder. These diagnoses target the biliary system and conditions related to gallbladder inflammation, often associated with gallstones, infection, or ischemia. Accurate coding is important for reflecting clinical severity and procedure necessity, which impacts reimbursement and care coordination.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when the clinical documentation indicates gallbladder inflammation, whether acute, chronic, or specified with complications. Assign codes that reflect the acuity and any associated complications or accompanying conditions documented by the clinician.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    4 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    K81.0Acute cholecystitis
    K81.1Chronic cholecystitis
    K81.2Acute cholecystitis with chronic cholecystitis
    K81.9Cholecystitis, unspecified

    DRG Codes

    3 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    444Disorders of the Biliary Tract with MCC
    445Disorders of the Biliary Tract with CC
    446Disorders of the Biliary Tract without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A middle-aged adult presents to the emergency department with acute, severe right upper quadrant abdominal pain radiating to the right shoulder, fever, nausea, and markedly elevated white blood cell count. Ultrasound shows gallbladder wall thickening and pericholecystic fluid consistent with acute inflammation, prompting hospital admission for IV fluids, antibiotics, and surgical consultation; this presentation warrants an acute cholecystitis diagnosis. Typical codes: K81.0, K81.1.
    • An older adult with known gallstone disease reports intermittent, recurrent episodes of biliary colic over several months with occasional low-grade fever and chronic right upper quadrant discomfort; imaging demonstrates a thickened gallbladder with chronic inflammatory changes. This chronic symptomatic course without signs of acute sepsis or systemic inflammatory response is coded as chronic cholecystitis to reflect the ongoing gallbladder pathology and need for elective management. Typical codes: K81.2.
    • A patient hospitalized for severe acute pancreatitis develops fever, persistent right upper quadrant tenderness, and jaundice; imaging now shows a distended gallbladder with evidence of infection and pericholecystic fluid, representing an infected gallbladder complicating the primary admission. In this setting the cholecystitis is recorded as unspecified acute or unspecified cholecystitis when precise acute subclassification is not documented or when sepsis/complications are the primary focus. Typical codes: K81.9.

    Related Codes

    K80-CHOLELITHIASIS-GALLSTONE-DISEASE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Cholelithiasis: Group Overview

    K82-OTHER-DISEASES-OF-GALLBLADDER

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Gallbladder: Group Overview

    K83-OTHER-DISEASES-OF-BILIARY-TRACT

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Biliary Tract: Group Overview

    K85-ACUTE-PANCREATITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Pancreatitis: Group Overview

    K86-OTHER-DISEASES-OF-PANCREAS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Pancreas: Group Overview

    K87-GALLBLADDER-BILIARY-TRACT-PANCREAS-DISORDERS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Gallbladder Biliary Tract And Pancreas In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: 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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