ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesCholedocholithiasis

Choledocholithiasis

ICD-10 Coding for Choledocholithiasis(K80.50, K80.51)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYEmergency Medicine
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Choledocholithiasis?
Essential facts and insights about Choledocholithiasis

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, fever, nausea, vomiting
  • Ultrasound showing dilated bile ducts, CT scan revealing stones in the common bile duct, MRCP demonstrating choledocholithiasis
  • Tenderness in the right upper quadrant, Murphy's sign may be positive, signs of jaundice

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Patient history including symptoms, imaging results, and lab findings
  • ICD-10-CM codes for choledocholithiasis (e.g., K80.50 for unspecified choledocholithiasis)
  • Example: 'Patient presents with right upper quadrant pain and jaundice, ultrasound shows dilated bile ducts with stones.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use K80.50 for unspecified cases, K80.51 for cases with cholangitis, and K80.52 for cases with pancreatitis.
  • Common errors include using incorrect codes for associated conditions or failing to document symptoms.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Gallbladder stones without bile duct involvement (K80.00-K80.09)
  • Other biliary tract disorders not related to choledocholithiasis

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
K80.50
Unspecified choledocholithiasis
K80.51
Choledocholithiasis with cholangitis
K80.52
Choledocholithiasis with pancreatitis
Ancillary Codes
R10.11
Differential Codes
K80.51
K80.50

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Emergency Medicine

Specialty Applications

  • Adults and children presenting with biliary colic or jaundice
  • Emergency departments, urgent care centers, and outpatient clinics

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Document all clinical findings, imaging results, and treatment plans.

Billing considerations?

Ensure correct ICD-10 codes are used to avoid claim denials.