K56

K56: Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

K56 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below.

Excludes1: never code together

These conditions cannot occur together. Billing both on the same encounter is a denial.

congenital stricture or stenosis of intestine (Q41-Q42)
cystic fibrosis with meconium ileus (E84.11)
ischemic stricture of intestine (K55.1)
meconium ileus NOS (P76.0)
neonatal intestinal obstructions classifiable to P76.-
obstruction of duodenum (K31.5)
postprocedural intestinal obstruction (K91.3-)

Excludes2: not included here, but may coexist

The excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient can have both. You may code both.

stenosis of anus or rectum (K62.4)

Other codes that can never be billed with K56

Their own Excludes1 notes name this code, so the conflict is not listed above.

K56.0Paralytic ileus
K56.7Ileus, unspecified
K59.0Constipation
K66.0Peritoneal adhesions (postprocedural) (postinfection)
P76.8Other specified intestinal obstruction of newborn

Risk adjustment

No CMS-HCC V28 category: this code does not change a RAF score.

Code history

Unchanged in every release from FY2024 to FY2027.

Code to one of these instead K56

8 child codes. Green means billable.