K80 vs K81

K80 (Cholelithiasis) compared with K81 (Cholecystitis), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.

Can these codes be reported together?

No — do not report together. K81 carries an Excludes1 note covering K80: “cholecystitis with cholelithiasis (K80.-)”

Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Side by side

	K80Cholelithiasis	K81Cholecystitis
Billing status	Non-billable header Report instead: K80.00, K80.01, K80.10, K80.11, K80.12	Non-billable header Report instead: K81.0, K81.1, K81.2, K81.9
Classification	K00-K95 — Diseases of the Digestive System (K00-K95)	K00-K95 — Diseases of the Digestive System (K00-K95)
Definition	Cholelithiasis is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (K80).	Cholecystitis is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (K81).
Use additional code	—	code if applicable for associated gangrene of gallbladder (K82.A1), or perforation of gallbladder (K82.A2)

Edit this comparison Check a whole claim

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources