ICD-10 K40.40
Billable / Specific MCCUnilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, not specified as recurrent
About ICD-10-CM K40.40
ICD-10-CM code K40.40 represents Unilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, not specified as recurrent. This is a billable/specific code in the Digestive System chapter (block K40). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM K40.40 became effective on October 1, 2025.
Coding Tips for K40.40
Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.
K40.40 is designated MCC for MS-DRG grouping. On inpatient claims, this code can shift the DRG to the with-MCC variant when documented as a present-on-admission secondary diagnosis. Hospital CDI programs flag MCC opportunities during chart review. Failure to capture this code may leave 30 to 80 percent of the inpatient stay revenue unrealized.
Inclusion Terms / Approximate Synonyms
Clinical terms and conditions classified under K40.40. Per CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular 2026.
- Inguinal hernia with gangrene NOS
- Unilateral inguinal hernia with gangrene NOS
Inpatient DRG Impact, MCC
codes Unilateral inguinal hernia, with gangrene, not specified as recurrent. As a Major Complication/Comorbidity (MCC), this can shift the DRG assignment to a higher-weighted category, substantial reimbursement impact.
Medicare LCD Coverage for K40.40
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list K40.40 as a covered diagnosis.
Showing top 10 of 11 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing K40.40.
2 Medicare
Convert K40.40 to ICD-9-CM
Per CMS General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.
| ICD-10 | ICD-9 | Mapping Flags |
|---|---|---|
| K40.40 | 55000 | 00000 |
Flags format (5 digits): Approximate · No Map · Combination · Scenario · Choice List. Source: CMS 2017 GEMs (final version).
Codes Adjacent To K40.40
Other codes in section K40-K46 (Hernia).
ICD-10 K40.40, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code K40.40 billable? +
Yes, K40.40 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can appear as a primary or secondary diagnosis on claims.
What other names or terms map to K40.40? +
ICD-10 K40.40 includes: Inguinal hernia with gangrene NOS; Unilateral inguinal hernia with gangrene NOS.
Is K40.40 a CC or MCC for inpatient DRG? +
Yes, this code is designated as MCC. Documenting as a secondary diagnosis on inpatient claims can shift the DRG to a higher-weighted category.
What CPT codes are commonly billed with K40.40? +
Procedures frequently paired with K40.40 include: 76882, 76881.
What ICD-9 codes does K40.40 map to? +
Per CMS GEMs, K40.40 maps to ICD-9 codes: 55000. Useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.
Get the full PayerReady toolkit
Free access to CPT/ICD-10 lookup, denial appeals, fee comparator, and claim auditing with credentialing enrollment.
Start free →Run this code through our claim audit tool
Check NCCI bundling, MUE limits, and modifier logic before submission.
Try the auditor →Did this page help?
Quick signal so we know what to improve.
If you want a code reference page that doesn't exist yet, email coding@payerready.com.
Tell us what's missing or wrong: coding@payerready.com. We respond within 5 business days.
Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
Powered by 11K CPT · 98K ICD-10 · 860K MPFS rates · 4.5M NCCI edits · 9.5M NPIs. Our data methodology · About our coding team