ICD10
ICD-10 Code K85.9: Acute pancreatitis, unspecified
Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026
What is this code?
ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. 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 acute pancreatitis, unspecified in a patient's medical record.
- May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
- This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.
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.
- This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.
Code hierarchy
chapter
11Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
block
K80-K87Disorders of gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas
category
K85Acute pancreatitis
currentK85
Official coding notes
Inclusion terms
- Pancreatitis NOS
Where you may see this code
You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.
Related specialists
GastroenterologistGeneral Physician
Related codes
Sibling codes
Mapped diagnoses and classifications
SNOMED_CT 69643006high
Abscess of pancreas
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 4399003high
Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 15528006high
Acute necrosis of pancreas
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 7881005high
Acute necrotizing pancreatitis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 721724009high
Acute on chronic pancreatitis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 197456007high
Acute pancreatitis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
Coding guidelines
Compatibility
Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.
Legacy codes
K85.9
Replacement codes
K85.90 — Acute pancreatitis without necrosis or infection, unspecifiedK85.91 — Acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis, unspecifiedK85.92 — Acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis, unspecified
Common synonyms
Acute pancreatitis, unspecifiedAcute pancreatitis
Frequently asked questions
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.