2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E44.0Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition
ICD-10-CM Codes›E00–E89›E40-E46›E44
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- CC — Complication or Comorbidity
- Chronic Condition
E44.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for moderate protein-calorie malnutrition. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 640 through 641, 791, 793. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 9 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as GLIM stage 1 moderate malnutrition. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Malnutrition.
E44.0 no longer risk-adjusts for Medicare Advantage: it mapped to HCC 21 under the retired CMS-HCC V24 model through payment year 2025 but maps to no category in the live V28 model. It still risk-adjusts in the PACE (CMS-HCC V22) category 21, ESRD (V21) category 21, and ESRD (V24) category 21 for payment year 2027.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Medicare Risk Adjustment (HCC)Billing
E44.0 no longer risk-adjusts for Medicare Advantage: it maps to no payment category in the live CMS-HCC V28 model, although it still risk-adjusts in the other CMS models shown below.
Source: CMS Payment Year 2027 risk adjustment mappings and model software. Weights are relative factors, not dollar amounts; a beneficiary's total RAF also includes demographics and interactions. Browse all CMS-HCC categories.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- GLIM stage 1 moderate malnutrition
- Malnutrition
- Malnutrition of moderate degree
- Moderate protein energy malnutrition
- Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to E44.0: 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.
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.
Notes
General instructions on how these codes are used.
- 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 E44.0, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 2
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming E44.0: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Excludes2 2
These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming E44.0: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.
Code First 3
These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and E44.0 is one of the conditions named.
Code Also 2
These codes say E44.0 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.
Notes 1
These notes mention E44.0.
- E64 Sequelae of malnutrition and other nutritional deficienciesThis 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 names E44, which includes this code
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
Convert E44.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About E44.0Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for moderate protein-calorie malnutrition?
The ICD-10-CM code for moderate protein-calorie malnutrition is E44.0 (sometimes written as E440). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is E44.0 (Protein-calorie malnutrition of moderate and mild degree) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report moderate protein-calorie malnutrition on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What MS-DRG does E44.0 group to?
When moderate protein-calorie malnutrition is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 793, 791, 641, 640, with relative weights from 0.7864 to 4.2192 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is E44.0 a CC or MCC?
CMS lists E44.0 as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2027. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 9 closely related codes in its exclusion list.
Can E44.0 be reported with a code from K90?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block E40-E46, which applies to E44.0, 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).
Does E44.0 risk-adjust for Medicare Advantage payment?
Not for Medicare Advantage. E44.0 mapped to HCC 21 in the retired CMS-HCC V24 model, which last determined payment in 2025, but it maps to no category in the live V28 model; see all codes that no longer risk-adjust. It still risk-adjusts in the PACE (CMS-HCC V22) category 21 (Protein-Calorie Malnutrition), ESRD (V21) category 21 (Protein-Calorie Malnutrition), and ESRD (V24) category 21 (Protein-Calorie Malnutrition).
