2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E56.9Vitamin deficiency, unspecified
ICD-10-CM Codes›E00–E89›E50-E64›E56
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Chronic Condition
E56.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for vitamin deficiency, unspecified. 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. Coders also document this condition as acquired ataxia. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nutritional deficiencies.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Acquired ataxia
- Acquired ataxia due to vitamin deficiency
- Encephalopathy due to vitamin deficiency
- Inadequate vitamin intake
- Multiple vitamin deficiency disease
- Vitamin deficiency
- Vitamin deficiency related neuropathy
- Vitamin disease
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to E56.9: its own notes plus those printed at E56, block E50-E64, 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.
- sequelae of other vitamin deficiencies (E64.8)
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 E56.9, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 2
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming E56.9: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Code First 2
These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and E56.9 is one of the conditions named.
Notes 1
These notes mention E56.9.
- 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 E50-E63, which includes this code
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
Avitaminosis (multiple) See Also: Deficiency, vitamin; E56.9
lack of vitamin See Also: Deficiency, vitamin; E56.9
Neuroavitaminosis E56.9
Polyneuritis, polyneuritic See Also: Polyneuropathy;
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Avitaminosis
a condition due to a deficiency of one or more essential vitamins. (dorland, 27th ed)
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 E56.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About E56.9Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for vitamin deficiency, unspecified?
The ICD-10-CM code for vitamin deficiency, unspecified is E56.9 (sometimes written as E569). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is E56.9 (Other vitamin deficiencies) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report vitamin deficiency, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What MS-DRG does E56.9 group to?
When vitamin deficiency, unspecified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 641, 640, with relative weights from 0.7864 to 1.3392 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can E56.9 be reported with E64.8?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at E56, which applies to E56.9, lists "sequelae of other vitamin deficiencies (E64.8)". 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).
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of E56.9?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, vitamin deficiency, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 269.2 (vitamin Deficiency NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
