Is K81 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. K81 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does K81 sit in the tabular list?

Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95), in the block Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas (K80-K87).

What cannot be coded together with K81?

K81 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.

K81

K81 — Cholecystitis

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

K81 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for cholecystitis. 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.

cholecystitis with cholelithiasis (K80.-)

Use additional code

Add a secondary code to capture the detail described below.

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

Other codes that can never be billed with K81

These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at K81. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading K81 alone.

K82.4Cholesterolosis of gallbladder

Risk adjustment

K81 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 K81

4 child codes. Green means billable.

Questions about K81

Is K81 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. K81 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does K81 sit in the tabular list?: Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95), in the block Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas (K80-K87).
What cannot be coded together with K81?: K81 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.