2026 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 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

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
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

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About E44Overview

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.