ICD-10 Code K85.9 – Acute pancreatitis, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K85.9 – Acute pancreatitis, unspecified
What it is
K85.9 identifies acute inflammation of the pancreas when the specific cause or type is not documented. Use it when the record clearly supports acute pancreatitis but does not name an etiology or subtype.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sudden upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal tenderness. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation, imaging, and provider assessment for confirmation.
When to use this code
Use K85.9 when the provider documents acute pancreatitis and no further detail is available in the record. It also fits when the note says “unspecified” or the cause is not established after evaluation. If documentation later identifies a specific form, code that instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for chronic pancreatitis, recurrent pancreatitis, or pancreatitis with a documented cause such as gallstones or alcohol use. Check documentation if the episode is not clearly acute.
Coding tip
Query the provider when the note names pancreatitis but omits acuity, cause, or type; unspecified coding should be a last resort.