ICD-10 Code K63.1 – Perforation of intestine (nontraumatic) (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K63.1 – Perforation of intestine (nontraumatic)
What it is
K63.1 identifies a nontraumatic hole or rupture in the intestine. Use it when the bowel wall is perforated without an external injury causing the damage.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical findings may include abdominal pain, guarding, peritonitis, or evidence of free air on imaging, but the record must confirm a nontraumatic intestinal perforation.
When to use this code
Use K63.1 when the provider documents perforation of the intestine and the cause is not traumatic. It may appear with conditions such as diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or other documented bowel pathology, if the note supports perforation. Code the documented site and cause when available.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for traumatic bowel injury or for gastrointestinal perforation outside the intestine, such as stomach or esophagus. Check documentation if the perforation site or cause is unclear.
Coding tip
Verify that the record states both intestinal perforation and nontraumatic origin before assigning K63.1.