ICD-10 Code K85.12 – Biliary Acute Pancreatitis with Infected Necrosis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K85.12 – Biliary acute pancreatitis with infected necrosis
What it is
This code identifies an acute pancreatitis episode caused by biliary disease, with infected pancreatic necrosis. Use it when the chart clearly links the pancreatitis to a biliary source and documents infection in necrotic tissue.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and imaging or clinical evidence of pancreatic necrosis. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for confirmation of biliary origin and infection.
When to use this code
Use K85.12 when the provider documents biliary acute pancreatitis and infected necrosis in the same episode. This is appropriate when notes, imaging, or operative reports support necrotizing pancreatitis with infection. If the record does not clearly state infection or biliary cause, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for uncomplicated acute pancreatitis, sterile necrosis, or pancreatitis with an unspecified cause. If the documentation does not specify infected necrosis, use a more general code and confirm the diagnosis.
Coding tip
Assign this code only when both biliary etiology and infected necrosis are explicitly documented.