ICD-10 Code K85.0 – Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K85.0 – Idiopathic acute pancreatitis
What it is
K85.0 identifies an acute inflammation of the pancreas when no cause is documented. Use it when the episode is sudden and the chart does not name gallstones, alcohol, trauma, medication, or another trigger.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include acute upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, with clinical features consistent with pancreatitis. Check documentation for imaging, laboratory, or provider statements supporting an acute pancreatic process.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents acute pancreatitis and states it is idiopathic, or the record clearly shows no identified cause after evaluation. It may also fit discharge summaries or final diagnoses when the etiology remains unspecified despite workup.
Do not use for
Do not use K85.0 if the cause is documented as biliary, alcohol-related, drug-induced, traumatic, or due to another specified factor. If documentation is unclear, check documentation before assigning an idiopathic code.
Coding tip
Code idiopathic only when the record supports “unknown cause,” not when the cause is merely not yet worked up.