2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K44.9Diaphragmatic hernia without obstruction or gangrene

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K40-K46›K44

ICD-10-CM K44.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

K44.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for diaphragmatic hernia without obstruction or 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.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K44.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Diaphragmatic hernia without obstruction or gangrene
Short Description
Diaphragmatic hernia without obstruction or 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 CodeK44.9Diaphragmatic hernia without obstruction or gangrene

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acute traumatic diaphragmatic hernia
  • Chronic traumatic diaphragmatic hernia
  • Complicated diaphragmatic hernia
  • Diaphragmatic hernia
  • Diaphragmatic hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux
  • Mixed hiatus hernia
  • Paraesophageal hernia
  • Paraesophageal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux
  • Secondary hernia of abdomen
  • Sliding hiatus hernia
  • Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Diaphragmatic hernia NOS

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
    • Hernia, hernial(acquired) (recurrent)
      • hiatal (esophageal) (sliding)

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR DIG010
Abdominal hernia
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Hiatal Hernia

    herniation of the upper part of the stomach through the diaphragm.

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 K44.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
553.3 Diaphragmatic hernia
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 K44.9Overview

Is K44.9 (Diaphragmatic hernia) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does K44.9 group to?

When diaphragmatic hernia without obstruction or 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 K44.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, diaphragmatic hernia without obstruction or gangrene converts to ICD-9-CM 553.3 (diaphragmatic hernia). 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.