ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code K81.1: Chronic cholecystitis

K81.1 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Chronic cholecystitis 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).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

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 chronic cholecystitis 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
K80-K87Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas
category
K81Cholecystitis
currentK81

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

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
K81.1

Common synonyms

Chronic cholecystitis

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeK81.1
SystemICD10
Display nameChronic cholecystitis
ChapterDiseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
BlockDisorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Cholecystitis

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.

ICD-10 Code K81.1 for Chronic cholecystitis | HealthAssure