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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

K81.2Acute cholecystitis with chronic cholecystitis

✓ Billable / specificCC — complication/comorbidity

K81.2 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for acute cholecystitis with chronic cholecystitis. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About K81.2

K81.2 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute cholecystitis with chronic cholecystitis. It belongs to category K81 (cholecystitis), block K80-K87 (disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas) and chapter 11 (diseases of the digestive system). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within K81 (cholecystitis), K81.2 is specifically for acute cholecystitis with chronic cholecystitis. Related codes cover acute cholecystitis (K81.0), chronic cholecystitis (K81.1) and unspecified (K81.9).

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

As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the "with CC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 444 (Disorders of the Biliary Tract with MCC, relative weight 1.6665), DRG 445 (Disorders of the Biliary Tract with CC, relative weight 1.0872) and DRG 446 (Disorders of the Biliary Tract without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.8124), in MDC 07 (Diseases and Disorders of the Hepatobiliary System and Pancreas), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 575.12 (acute and chronic cholecystitis).

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to K81.2.

› From K81 Cholecystitis
Excludes1
  • cholecystitis with cholelithiasis (K80.-)
Use additional code
  • code if applicable for associated gangrene of gallbladder (K82.A1), or perforation of gallbladder (K82.A2)

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 11: Diseases of the digestive system.

Alphabetic index entries

2 entries

Terms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to K81.2.

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 575.12Acute and chronic cholecystitisexact

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about K81.2

Is K81.2 billable?

Yes. K81.2 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can K81.2 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict K81.2 as a principal diagnosis.

Is K81.2 a CC or MCC?

K81.2 is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.

What DRG does K81.2 group to?

K81.2 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 444 (Disorders of the Biliary Tract with MCC), MS-DRG 445 (Disorders of the Biliary Tract with CC) and MS-DRG 446 (Disorders of the Biliary Tract without CC/MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for K81.2?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map K81.2 to ICD-9-CM 575.12.