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K91.3 ICD-10-CM Code: Postprocedural intestinal obstruction

Compare with another code for K91.3Check this code on a claim

Billing Status: NO. This is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code: report a more specific billable code beneath it.

Coding at a Glance

Official instructions
7 Excludes2

What these terms mean →

Not billable · FY2027A non-billable heading in the tabular list: report a more specific code beneath it.

What you need to know

Source: CMS/NCHS Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes, quoted. From the CMS/NCHS tabular list for the release in force. A note the category or block publishes applies to this code too, and is marked with where it comes from.

Excludes2from K91Not included here; may be reported together
  • complications of artificial opening of digestive system (K94.-)
  • complications of bariatric procedures (K95.-)
  • gastrojejunal ulcer (K28.-)
  • postprocedural (radiation) retroperitoneal abscess (K68.11)

+3 more in Instructions

Where it sits Source: CMS/NCHS

Under:Chapter 11: Diseases of the Digestive SystemK90-K95 Other diseases of the digestive systemK91 Intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of digestive system, not elsewhere classified

Codes under K91.3 (3)

  • K91.30Postprocedural intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to partial versus completeBillable
  • K91.31Postprocedural partial intestinal obstructionBillable
  • K91.32Postprocedural complete intestinal obstructionBillable

Most relevant related codes MedCoder-derived

Read off the official notes above and this code’s own position in the tabular list. Which to report is a documentation question; Compare shows the two side by side.

CompareCheck ClaimView Related Codes

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for K91.3 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2027Effective: October 1, 2026

Trace:FY2027 changesChange historyRelease, file and checksum

Notes without a marker are published on K91.3 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

Source: inherited from K91

Coder workflow for K91.3

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code K91.3

  1. K91.3 is not reportable as written. Select the more specific code beneath it that the documentation supports. Codes are reported to the highest level of specificity the classification provides (Guidelines I.B.2).

    ReviewK91.30, K91.31, K91.32

    See the relationships section · Guide: How to choose an ICD-10-CM code →

Choose the right path

  1. Does the documentation support one of the more specific codes beneath K91.3?
    Yes → Select that code and continue the checks below on its own page.
    No → K91.3 cannot be reported as written. Where the codes beneath it include an unspecified code, that code applies when the record goes no further; otherwise query for the missing detail.

    ReviewK91.30, K91.31, K91.32

Report the code beneath K91.3 that the documentation supports, not K91.3 itself. Then confirm that code is valid for the date of service on its own page.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement
Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes2 — not part of K91.3(7 notes)

    Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in K91.3. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

    CompareK94, K95, K28, K68.11, K52.0, K62.7

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Don’t confuse K91.3 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of K91.3 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

  • K94— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of complications of artificial opening of digestive system adds K94; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: K91.3 vs K94 →

  • K95— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of complications of bariatric procedures adds K95; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: K91.3 vs K95 →

  • K28— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of gastrojejunal ulcer adds K28; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: K91.3 vs K28 →

  • K68.11— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of postprocedural (radiation) retroperitoneal abscess adds K68.11; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: K91.3 vs K68.11 →

  • K52.0— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of radiation colitis adds K52.0; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: K91.3 vs K52.0 →

  • K62.7— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of radiation proctitis adds K62.7; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: K91.3 vs K62.7 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Coding context

Guidelines, coding notes, decision aids, relationships (with MS-DRG and CCSR classification), hierarchy, HCC, coverage and the context map: what a coder reaches for after the core. Each section names whether it is official source data, a MedCoder-derived relationship or MedCoder editorial.

Code Overview

Postprocedural intestinal obstruction is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (K91.3). A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission.

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Verify Before Coding

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder-derived relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name K91.3 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 1 Excludes1 note: K56 — Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia.

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

Referenced by 1 Excludes2 note: T81 — Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified (via K91.-).

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):DIG024 — Postprocedural or postoperative digestive system complication (default); DIG012 — Intestinal obstruction and ileus.

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical categories (Postprocedural or postoperative digestive system complication, Intestinal obstruction and ileus).

K56.601 — Complete intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to cause, K56.609 — Unspecified intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction, K56.69 — Other intestinal obstruction, K56.690 — Other partial intestinal obstruction, K56.691 — Other complete intestinal obstruction, K56.699 — Other intestinal obstruction unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction, K56.7 — Ileus, unspecified, K91.0 — Vomiting following gastrointestinal surgery, K91.1 — Postgastric surgery syndromes, K91.2 — Postsurgical malabsorption, not elsewhere classified, K91.30 — Postprocedural intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to partial versus complete, K91.31 — Postprocedural partial intestinal obstruction, K91.32 — Postprocedural complete intestinal obstruction, K91.5 — Postcholecystectomy syndrome, K91.61 — Intraoperative hemorrhage and hematoma of a digestive system organ or structure complicating a digestive system procedure, K91.62 — Intraoperative hemorrhage and hematoma of a digestive system organ or structure complicating other procedure, K91.71 — Accidental puncture and laceration of a digestive system organ or structure during a digestive system procedure, K91.72 — Accidental puncture and laceration of a digestive system organ or structure during other procedure, K91.81 — Other intraoperative complications of digestive system, K91.82 — Postprocedural hepatic failure, +74 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of K91.3 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run K91.3 with these 2 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

  • T81 — Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified[Excludes2](via K91.-): “intraoperative and postprocedural complications of specific body system (D78.-, E36.-, E89.-, G97.3-, G97.4, H59.3-, H59.-, H95.2-, H95.3, I97.4-, I97.5, J95, K91.-, L76.-, M96.-, N99.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027

Clinical classification (CCSR)

Nearest codes (31)

Change history (2)

Reference

Index terms and tables, published questions and FAQ, every source behind this page with its release and checksum, the date-of-service check and the complete change history.

Common coding questions

MedCoder editorial

Can K91.3 be billed directly?

No. K91.3 (Postprocedural intestinal obstruction) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder-derived relationship
Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder editorial explanation
Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Current data releases:ICD-10-CM FY2027 · ICD-10-PCS FY2027 · HCPCS October 2026 · MS-DRG v44 · Medicare Code Editor v44.0 · NCCI PTP Q4 2026 · MUE Q4 2026 · NCD code lists 2026-01 · LCD export September 28, 2026 · All releases and sources

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder-derived relationship · MedCoder editorial explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates · CMS coding rules

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "K91.3 — Postprocedural intestinal obstruction." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/k91.3-postprocedural-intestinal-obstruction

Change history

  • FY2018 — October 1, 2017
    Became a non-billable header
    FY2018 changes
  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Postprocedural intestinal obstruction

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to K91.3 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the K91 family