The hypokalemia ICD 10 code is E87.6, Hypokalemia. In the ICD-10-CM classification, E87.6 falls under E87, Other disorders of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance, and includes potassium [K] deficiency.
For accurate medical billing and coding, assigning E87.6 requires more than identifying a low potassium level. Coders should confirm that the provider documented hypokalemia, review the complete encounter for related or underlying conditions, and verify that the code is valid for the applicable date of service. This helps ensure the diagnosis reported on the claim is supported by the medical record and current ICD-10-CM guidelines.
E87.6 Hypokalemia: Quick Answer
If the provider documents hypokalemia, the corresponding ICD-10-CM code is:
E87.6, Hypokalemia
| Coding Detail | Information |
| ICD-10-CM code | E87.6 |
| Description | Hypokalemia |
| Category | E87, Other disorders of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance |
| Related term listed in the classification | Potassium [K] deficiency |
| Condition | Low potassium |
| Primary coding consideration | Provider documentation |
The CDC maintains the official ICD-10-CM files and browser tools used to verify codes, indexes, tabular instructions, and fiscal-year updates.
What Does E87.6 Mean?
E87.6 means hypokalemia, a condition involving a lower-than-normal amount of potassium in the blood.
Potassium is an electrolyte involved in normal nerve and muscle function. From a coding perspective, though, the important issue is not simply whether a laboratory report shows a low potassium value. The coder must determine what the provider documented and whether that documentation supports reporting hypokalemia.
E87.6 in the ICD-10-CM Classification
E87.6 appears within the E87 category for disorders involving fluid, electrolytes, and acid-base balance.
| Code | Condition |
| E87.1 | Hypo-osmolality and hyponatremia |
| E87.2 | Acidosis |
| E87.3 | Alkalosis |
| E87.4 | Mixed disorder of acid-base balance |
| E87.5 | Hyperkalemia |
| E87.6 | Hypokalemia |
| E87.8 | Other disorders of electrolyte and fluid balance, not elsewhere classified |
The ICD-10-CM classification distinguishes hypokalemia from other electrolyte and acid-base disorders by assigning separate codes.
When Should E87.6 Be Assigned?
The starting point should be the provider’s documentation. When the provider documents hypokalemia as a diagnosis and the documentation supports reporting the condition, E87.6 is the applicable ICD-10-CM code.
Provider Documents Hypokalemia
Example documentation:
Assessment: Hypokalemia.
ICD-10-CM: E87.6
This is the most direct scenario because the provider has explicitly documented the condition.
Provider Documents Potassium Deficiency
The ICD-10-CM classification includes Potassium [K] deficiency under E87.6. However, coders should still verify the documentation and applicable classification instructions before finalizing a claim. The correct approach is to follow the ICD-10-CM Index and Tabular List rather than relying on an assumed code match.
Provider Documents a Related Electrolyte Condition
Not every potassium abnormality represents hypokalemia. For example:
- Low potassium: Hypokalemia, E87.6
- High potassium: Hyperkalemia, E87.5
Review the provider’s actual diagnosis before selecting the code.
Can a Low Potassium Lab Result Be Coded as E87.6?
Not automatically. A laboratory report can show that a potassium level is below the laboratory’s reference range. That finding alone should not lead the coder to independently diagnose hypokalemia without considering the provider’s documentation and applicable coding guidelines.
Documentation Matters
| Medical Record | Coding Consideration |
| Provider documents “hypokalemia” | E87.6 may be reported when supported |
| Provider documents potassium deficiency | Verify the classification and documentation |
| Low potassium result only | Do not automatically assign E87.6 |
| Hypokalemia documented with another condition | Review the complete encounter |
| Provider documents hyperkalemia | E87.5, not E87.6 |
The key principle is simple: code the documented condition rather than independently diagnosing a condition from laboratory data.
Example: Low Potassium Without a Diagnosis
Laboratory result: Potassium: below the laboratory reference range.
Provider assessment: No diagnosis of hypokalemia documented.
In this situation, the coder should review the complete medical record and applicable coding guidance rather than automatically assigning E87.6.
A Practical E87.6 Coding Workflow Step-by-Step
A consistent review process can help billing teams avoid incorrect diagnosis coding.
Step 1. Find the Provider’s Diagnosis
Start with the assessment, impression, and other relevant provider documentation. Look specifically for terms such as:
- Hypokalemia
- Potassium deficiency
- Hyperkalemia
- Other documented electrolyte disorders
Do not rely only on the laboratory section of the record.
Step 2. Verify the ICD-10-CM Code
If hypokalemia is documented and supported, verify the applicable code in the current ICD-10-CM classification. For hypokalemia, the code is:
E87.6
The CDC’s ICD-10-CM Browser allows users to search by code or diagnosis and review the Index, Tabular List, and instructional information.
Step 3. Review the Entire Encounter
Determine whether hypokalemia occurred with another documented condition. For example, the record could include hypokalemia alongside:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Medication-related conditions
- Renal conditions
- Other documented electrolyte abnormalities
The presence of E87.6 does not necessarily mean it is the only diagnosis that should be reported.
Step 4. Check the Date of Service
ICD-10-CM is updated by fiscal year, and applicable code sets can change during the year. For FY 2026, the April 1, 2026 release applies to services from April 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026. The CDC has also released FY 2027 materials, which apply beginning October 1, 2026. Always select the code set applicable to the date of service.
Step 5. Confirm Claim Support
Before submitting the claim, make sure the diagnosis is supported by the medical record and is appropriate for the service being billed. Payer-specific requirements may also apply.
Hypokalemia vs. Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia describe opposite potassium abnormalities.
| Condition | Meaning | ICD-10-CM Code |
| Hypokalemia | Low potassium | E87.6 |
| Hyperkalemia | High potassium | E87.5 |
The ICD-10-CM classification identifies E87.5 as hyperkalemia and E87.6 as hypokalemia.
Why the Difference Matters?
The two terms are easy to confuse because they differ by only a few letters, but they represent opposite clinical conditions.
Example:
Assessment: Hyperkalemia.
Correct code: E87.5
It would be incorrect to report E87.6 because that code represents hypokalemia.
Hypokalemia With an Underlying Condition
Hypokalemia may occur alongside another documented disease, condition, or clinical circumstance. For example, a provider may document: Hypokalemia associated with documented gastrointestinal illness. The coder should review the entire encounter to determine which conditions are reportable and whether additional coding is required.
Do Not Stop at the First Diagnosis
A claim should not automatically contain only E87.6 simply because hypokalemia appears in the assessment. Review:
- The reason for the encounter
- Final provider assessment
- Related diagnoses
- Laboratory and clinical documentation
- Applicable ICD-10-CM instructions
- Payer requirements
5 Hypokalemia Coding Examples
Example 1: Provider Documents Hypokalemia
Documentation:
Assessment: Hypokalemia.
ICD-10-CM: E87.6
The provider has directly documented the condition.
Example 2: Low Potassium Result Only
Documentation:
Potassium level is below the reference range.
No provider diagnosis of hypokalemia is documented.
Coding consideration: Do not automatically assign E87.6. Review the complete documentation and applicable coding guidelines.
Example 3: Potassium Deficiency
Documentation:
Assessment: Potassium deficiency.
Coding consideration: E87.6 includes potassium [K] deficiency in the ICD-10-CM classification, but the coder should verify the Index, Tabular List, and complete documentation before finalizing the code.
Example 4: Hyperkalemia
Documentation:
Assessment: Hyperkalemia.
ICD-10-CM: E87.5
The documented condition is high potassium, so E87.5 applies rather than E87.6.
Example 5: Hypokalemia With Another Documented Condition
Documentation:
Assessment: Hypokalemia associated with a documented gastrointestinal condition.
Coding consideration: Review the complete encounter and applicable coding guidelines to determine the reportable diagnoses.
Does E87.6 Establish Medical Necessity?
Not by itself. An ICD-10-CM diagnosis code can help establish the clinical reason for a service, but reporting E87.6 does not automatically guarantee coverage or medical necessity for every service.
For example, CMS billing and coding articles may identify E87.6 among diagnosis codes that support medical necessity for specific services. The applicable requirements depend on the service and coverage policy.
What Billing Teams Should Verify
Before submitting a claim with E87.6, verify:
- Hypokalemia is supported by provider documentation.
- The diagnosis matches the selected ICD-10-CM code.
- Related and underlying conditions have been reviewed.
- The diagnosis supports the service being billed.
- The correct ICD-10-CM version is used for the date of service.
- Applicable payer or Medicare coverage requirements have been reviewed.
6 Common E87.6 Coding Mistakes
1. Coding From the Laboratory Result Alone
A low potassium value does not automatically mean the coder should assign E87.6. Review the provider’s documentation before reporting the diagnosis.
2. Confusing Hypokalemia With Hyperkalemia
Remember:
E87.6 = Hypokalemia = Low potassium
E87.5 = Hyperkalemia = High potassium
Always verify the provider’s documented condition.
3. Treating E87.6 as the Only Diagnosis
Hypokalemia may occur with another documented condition. Review the entire encounter before determining which diagnoses should be reported.
4. Using the Wrong Year’s Code Set
ICD-10-CM releases are tied to specific fiscal years and dates of service. Using an outdated code reference can create coding errors. The CDC publishes the current and historical ICD-10-CM releases, including FY 2026 and FY 2027 materials.
5. Skipping the Tabular List
Finding a term in a coding reference is not always the final step. Coders should verify the applicable Index and Tabular List instructions before submitting a claim. The CDC’s ICD-10-CM Browser provides access to both.
6. Ignoring the Final Provider Assessment
A laboratory result may appear earlier in the encounter, while the provider’s final assessment establishes the diagnosis. Review the complete record before assigning E87.6.
Hypokalemia ICD 10 Quick Reference
| Question | Answer |
| What is the hypokalemia ICD 10 code? | E87.6 |
| What is the ICD 10 for hypokalemia? | E87.6 |
| What is the ICD 10 code for hypokalemia? | E87.6 |
| What does E87.6 represent? | Hypokalemia |
| What does hypokalemia mean? | Low potassium |
| What is the ICD-10-CM code for hyperkalemia? | E87.5 |
| Can a low potassium result alone establish E87.6? | Not automatically |
| What is the main coding consideration? | Provider documentation |
| Should the date of service be checked? | Yes |
Conclusion
The hypokalemia ICD 10 code is E87.6, Hypokalemia. It falls under the E87 category for other disorders of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, and the ICD-10-CM classification also identifies potassium [K] deficiency under E87.6.
For accurate coding, do more than match a low potassium result to E87.6. Review the provider’s documentation, confirm the diagnosis, examine related conditions, verify the applicable ICD-10-CM code set for the date of service, and check payer-specific requirements when necessary.
For current coding work, use the official ICD-10-CM resources maintained by the CDC and verify the appropriate fiscal-year release for the service date.
FAQs
What is the ICD 10 code for hypokalemia?
The ICD-10-CM code for hypokalemia is E87.6. It is classified under E87, Other disorders of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance.
What is the hypokalemia ICD 10 code?
The hypokalemia ICD 10 code is E87.6. The code should be reported when the provider documentation supports the diagnosis.
Is E87.6 a billable ICD-10-CM code?
E87.6 is an ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for hypokalemia. Before submitting a claim, verify that the code is valid for the applicable date of service and review any payer-specific requirements.
Can hypokalemia be coded with another diagnosis?
Potentially, yes. If the provider documents hypokalemia along with another condition, review the complete encounter and applicable coding guidelines to determine which diagnoses should be reported.
Does E87.6 automatically establish medical necessity?
No. The diagnosis must be supported by the medical record and appropriate for the service being billed. Payer-specific coverage and medical necessity requirements may also apply.
