2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K90Intestinal malabsorption

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K90-K95›K90

ICD-10-CM K90
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

K90 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for intestinal malabsorption, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as K90.0, K90.1, K90.2, and K90.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K90
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Intestinal malabsorption
Short Description
Intestinal malabsorption
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
K90-K95
Other diseases of the digestive system

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK90-K95Other diseases of the digestive system
CategoryK90Intestinal malabsorption
This CodeK90Intestinal malabsorption

Specific Coding for Intestinal malabsorptionOverview

Non-specific codes like K90 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use K90.0 for Celiac disease

  • Use K90.1 for Tropical sprue

  • Use K90.2 for Blind loop syndrome, not elsewhere classified

  • Use K90.3 for Pancreatic steatorrhea

  • K90.4 for Other malabsorption due to intolerance

  • Use K90.41 for Non-celiac gluten sensitivity

  • Use K90.49 for Malabsorption due to intolerance, not elsewhere classified

  • K90.8 for Other intestinal malabsorption

  • Use K90.81 for Whipple's disease

  • K90.82 for Short bowel syndrome

  • Use K90.83 for Intestinal failure

  • Use K90.89 for Other intestinal malabsorption

  • Use K90.9 for Intestinal malabsorption, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to K90: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 11. 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.

  • intestinal malabsorption following gastrointestinal surgery (K91.2)

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.

From Chapter 11 (K00-K95) Diseases of the digestive system applies to 863 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name K90, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming K90: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Block E40-E46 Malnutrition
    intestinal malabsorption (K90.-)
  • K59 Other functional intestinal disorders
    intestinal malabsorption (K90.-)

Patient EducationClinical

Malabsorption Syndromes

Your small intestine does most of the digesting of the foods you eat. If you have a malabsorption syndrome, your small intestine cannot absorb nutrients from foods.

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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About K90Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for intestinal malabsorption?

K90 is the ICD-10-CM category for intestinal malabsorption, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is K90 (Intestinal malabsorption) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for intestinal malabsorption, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for intestinal malabsorption need a more specific code from this category, such as K90.0, K90.1, and K90.2.

Can K90 be reported with K91.2?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on K90 lists "intestinal malabsorption following gastrointestinal surgery (K91.2)". 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).