Is K26 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. K26 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does K26 sit in the tabular list?

Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95), in the block Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum (K20-K31).

What cannot be coded together with K26?

K26 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.

K26

K26 — Duodenal ulcer

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

K26 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for duodenal ulcer. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below.

Excludes1 — never code together

These conditions cannot occur together. Billing both on the same encounter is a denial.

peptic ulcer NOS (K27.-)

Use additional code

Add a secondary code to capture the detail described below.

code to identify:
alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)

Includes

Conditions this code covers.

erosion (acute) of duodenum
duodenum ulcer (peptic)
postpyloric ulcer (peptic)

Other codes that can never be billed with K26

These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at K26. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading K26 alone.

R58Hemorrhage, not elsewhere classified
K63.1Perforation of intestine (nontraumatic)
K63.3Ulcer of intestine

Risk adjustment

K26 does not map to an HCC and does not risk-adjust under CMS-HCC V28. That is normal — most ICD-10 codes do not. It still needs to be coded correctly; it just will not move a RAF score.

Code to one of these instead K26

9 child codes. Green means billable.

Questions about K26

Is K26 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. K26 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does K26 sit in the tabular list?: Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95), in the block Diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum (K20-K31).
What cannot be coded together with K26?: K26 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.