2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K44.0Diaphragmatic hernia with obstruction, without gangrene

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K40-K46›K44

ICD-10-CM K44.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

K44.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for diaphragmatic hernia with obstruction, without gangrene. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 391 through 392. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Abdominal hernia and Intestinal obstruction and ileus.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K44.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Diaphragmatic hernia with obstruction, without gangrene
Short Description
Diaphragmatic hernia with obstruction, without gangrene
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
K44
Diaphragmatic hernia

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK40-K46Hernia
CategoryK44Diaphragmatic hernia
This CodeK44.0Diaphragmatic hernia with obstruction, without gangrene

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Gastric volvulus
  • Hiatus hernia with obstruction
  • Irreducible diaphragmatic hernia
  • Irreducible hiatal hernia
  • Irreducible paraesophageal hernia
  • Obstructed diaphragmatic hernia
  • Obstructed paraesophageal hernia
  • Paraesophageal hernia
  • Rolling hiatus hernia with gastric volvulus

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Diaphragmatic hernia causing obstruction
  • Incarcerated diaphragmatic hernia
  • Irreducible diaphragmatic hernia
  • Strangulated diaphragmatic hernia

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Hernia, hernial(acquired) (recurrent)
      • diaphragm, diaphragmatic
        • with
          • obstruction
    • Hernia, hernial(acquired) (recurrent)
      • hiatal (esophageal) (sliding)
        • with
          • obstruction

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR DIG010
Abdominal hernia
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes
CCSR DIG012
Intestinal obstruction and ileus
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

    diaphragmatic hernia that is present at birth.

  • Diaphragmatic Hernia

    a congenital or acquired weakness or opening in the diaphragm which allows abdominal contents to protrude into the chest cavity; congenital diaphragmatic hernias are caused when the embryonic diaphragm fails to fuse.

  • Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia

    the protrusion of abdominal cavity contents into the thoracic cavity via a hole in the diaphragm, which was acquired via a traumatic etiology.

Patient EducationClinical

Hernia

A hernia happens when part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a weak area of muscle. Most hernias are in the abdomen.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert K44.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
552.3 Diaphragm hernia w obstr
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 K44.0Overview

Is K44.0 (Diaphragmatic hernia) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report diaphragmatic hernia with obstruction, without gangrene on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does K44.0 group to?

When diaphragmatic hernia with obstruction, without gangrene is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 391, 392, with relative weights from 0.7796 to 1.2683 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of K44.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, diaphragmatic hernia with obstruction, without gangrene converts to ICD-9-CM 552.3 (diaphragm hernia w obstr). The mapping is a direct match.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.