2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E44Protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree

ICD-10-CM Codes›E00–E89›E40-E46›E44

ICD-10-CM E44
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

E44 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as E44.0 and E44.1.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
E44
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree
Short Description
Protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
E40-E46
Malnutrition

Code Classification

ChapterE00–E89Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases
SectionE40-E46Malnutrition
CategoryE44Protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree
This CodeE44Protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree

Specific Coding for Protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degreeOverview

Non-specific codes like E44 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use E44.0 for Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition

  • Use E44.1 for Mild protein-calorie malnutrition

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to E44: its own notes plus those printed at block E40-E46 and Chapter 4. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From Block E40-E46 Malnutrition applies to 8 codes
  • intestinal malabsorption (K90.-)
  • sequelae of protein-calorie malnutrition (E64.0)
From Chapter 4 (E00-E89) Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases applies to 973 codes
  • transitory endocrine and metabolic disorders specific to newborn (P70-P74)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Block E40-E46 Malnutrition applies to 8 codes

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 4 (E00-E89) Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases applies to 973 codes
  • All neoplasms, whether functionally active or not, are classified in Chapter 2. Appropriate codes in this chapter (i.e. E05.8, E07.0, E16-E31, E34.-) may be used as additional codes to indicate either functional activity by neoplasms and ectopic endocrine tissue or hyperfunction and hypofunction of endocrine glands associated with neoplasms and other conditions classified elsewhere.

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name E44, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention E44.

  • P00.4 Newborn affected by maternal nutritional disorders
    Newborn affected by maternal disorders classifiable to E40-E64 names E40-E64, which includes this code

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming E44: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • R63.6 Underweight
    malnutrition (E40-E46) names E40-E46, which includes this code
  • Z72.4 Inappropriate diet and eating habits
    malnutrition and other nutritional deficiencies (E40-E64) names E40-E64, which includes this code

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming E44: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • R60.1 Generalized edema
    nutritional edema (E40-E46) names E40-E46, which includes this code
  • Z59.4 Lack of adequate food
    malnutrition (E40-E46) names E40-E46, which includes this code

Code First 3

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and E44 is one of the conditions named.

  • E08 Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition
    malnutrition (E40-E46) names E40-E46, which includes this code
  • G63 Polyneuropathy in diseases classified elsewhere
    nutritional deficiency (E40-E64) names E40-E64, which includes this code
  • H28 Cataract in diseases classified elsewhere
    protein-calorie malnutrition (E40-E46) names E40-E46, which includes this code

Code Also 2

These codes say E44 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • R63.31 Pediatric feeding disorder, acute
    malnutrition (E40-E46) names E40-E46, which includes this code
  • R63.32 Pediatric feeding disorder, chronic
    malnutrition (E40-E46) names E40-E46, which includes this code

Notes 1

These notes mention E44.

  • E64 Sequelae of malnutrition and other nutritional deficiencies
    This category is to be used to indicate conditions in categories E43, E44, E46, E50-E63 as the cause of sequelae, which are themselves classified elsewhere. The 'sequelae' include conditions specified as such; they also include the late effects of diseases classifiable to the above categories if the disease itself is no longer present

Patient EducationClinical

Malnutrition

Malnutrition means that your body isn't getting enough calories or the right balance of nutrients to stay healthy. This can happen if you don't get enough protein, carbohydrates, and fats, eat too much unhealthy food, or don't get the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

The full article covers:

  • What is malnutrition?
  • What are the types of malnutrition?
  • What causes malnutrition?
  • Who is at risk for developing malnutrition?
  • What are the symptoms of malnutrition?
  • How is malnutrition diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for malnutrition?
  • Can malnutrition be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About E44Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree?

E44 is the ICD-10-CM category for protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is E44 (Protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree need a more specific code from this category, such as E44.0 and E44.1.

Can E44 be reported with a code from K90?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block E40-E46, which applies to E44, lists "intestinal malabsorption (K90.-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).