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ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code K56.0: Paralytic ileus

K56.0 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Paralytic ileus in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95).

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents paralytic ileus in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter
11Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
block
K55-K64Other diseases of intestines
category
K56Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia
currentK56

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Paralysis of bowel
  • Paralysis of colon
  • Paralysis of intestine
Excludes1 (do not code together)
  • gallstone ileus (K56.3)
  • ileus NOS (K56.7)
  • obstructive ileus NOS (K56.69-)

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

GastroenterologistGeneral Physician

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 44388high
COLONOSCOPY THROUGH STOMA; DIAGNOSTIC, INCLUDING COLLECTION OF SPECIMEN(S) BY BRUSHING OR WASHING, WHEN PERFORMED (SEPARATE PROCEDURE)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 44401high
COLONOSCOPY THROUGH STOMA; WITH ABLATION OF TUMOR(S), POLYP(S), OR OTHER LESION(S) (INCLUDES PRE-AND POST-DILATION AND GUIDE WIRE PASSAGE, WHEN PERFORMED)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 44389high
COLONOSCOPY THROUGH STOMA; WITH BIOPSY, SINGLE OR MULTIPLE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 44391high
COLONOSCOPY THROUGH STOMA; WITH CONTROL OF BLEEDING, ANY METHOD
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 44402high
COLONOSCOPY THROUGH STOMA; WITH ENDOSCOPIC STENT PLACEMENT (INCLUDING PRE- AND POST-DILATION AND GUIDE WIRE PASSAGE, WHEN PERFORMED)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 44390high
COLONOSCOPY THROUGH STOMA; WITH REMOVAL OF FOREIGN BODY(S)
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
K56.0

Common synonyms

Paralytic ileus

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeK56.0
SystemICD10
Display nameParalytic ileus
ChapterDiseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
BlockOther diseases of intestines

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Ileus(bowel) (colon) (inhibitory) (intestine)Ileus(bowel) (colon) (inhibitory) (intestine)Ileus(bowel) (colon) (inhibitory) (intestine)Obstruction, obstructed, obstructiveObstruction, obstructed, obstructiveObstruction, obstructed, obstructiveParalysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)Paresis

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.