FY2027 ICD-10-CM reference
K51: Ulcerative colitis
By the HCC Buddy Coding Team
The official ICD-10-CM descriptor is Ulcerative colitis. The FY2027 annual edition starts October 1, 2026. Check the edition that applies to the encounter or inpatient discharge, including any April update.
Nonbillable heading. Verified against the official FY2027 order file.
More specific FY2027 codes
- K51.0: Ulcerative (chronic) pancolitisNonbillable heading
- K51.2: Ulcerative (chronic) proctitisNonbillable heading
- K51.3: Ulcerative (chronic) rectosigmoiditisNonbillable heading
- K51.4: Inflammatory polyps of colonNonbillable heading
- K51.5: Left sided colitisNonbillable heading
- K51.8: Other ulcerative colitisNonbillable heading
- K51.9: Ulcerative colitis, unspecifiedNonbillable heading
FY2027 Tabular instructions
Instructions below include applicable chapter, section and parent-code notes. Each note identifies where it appears in the official source.
Excludes2
certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
Source: K00-K95 (chapter, inherited).
Excludes2
certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
Source: K00-K95 (chapter, inherited).
Excludes2
complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
Source: K00-K95 (chapter, inherited).
Excludes2
congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
Source: K00-K95 (chapter, inherited).
Excludes2
endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
Source: K00-K95 (chapter, inherited).
Excludes2
injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
Source: K00-K95 (chapter, inherited).
Excludes2
neoplasms (C00-D49)
Source: K00-K95 (chapter, inherited).
Excludes2
symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
Source: K00-K95 (chapter, inherited).
Includes
noninfective inflammatory bowel disease
Source: K50-K52 (section, inherited).
Excludes1
irritable bowel syndrome (K58.-)
Source: K50-K52 (section, inherited).
Excludes1
megacolon (K59.3-)
Source: K50-K52 (section, inherited).
Instructional note
code to identify any associated fistulas, if applicable:
Source: K51 (category, direct).
Instructional note
anal fistula (K60.3-)
Source: K51 (category, direct).
Instructional note
anorectal fistula (K60.5-)
Source: K51 (category, direct).
Instructional note
rectal fistula (K60.4-)
Source: K51 (category, direct).
Instructional note
code to identify manifestations, such as:
Source: K51 (category, direct).
Instructional note
pyoderma gangrenosum (L88)
Source: K51 (category, direct).
Excludes1
Crohn's disease [regional enteritis] (K50.-)
Source: K51 (category, direct).
Compare the FY2027 additions, removals and billable-status changes
What does K51 mean in FY2027?
The official ICD-10-CM descriptor is Ulcerative colitis. The FY2027 annual edition starts October 1, 2026. Check the edition that applies to the encounter or inpatient discharge, including any April update.
Is K51 billable in FY2027?
The FY2027 order file marks K51 as a nonbillable heading. Select a complete billable child code.
Does K51 map to an HCC?
Risk-model mapping is not applicable to this nonbillable heading. Check a complete billable child code.
Source: CMS FY2027 ICD-10-CM order file. Payment model: CMS CY 2027 Rate Announcement. Read the FY2027 Official Guidelines.
Review the FY2026 April edition