2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code N44.03Torsion of appendix testis

ICD-10-CM Codes›N00–N99›N40-N53›N44

ICD-10-CM N44.03
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

N44.03 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for torsion of appendix testis. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 729 through 730. 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 5 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as torsion of appendix of testis. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified male genital disorders.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
N44.03
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Torsion of appendix testis
Short Description
Torsion of appendix testis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
N44.0
Torsion of testis

Code Classification

ChapterN00–N99Diseases of the genitourinary system
SectionN40-N53Diseases of male genital organs
CategoryN44Noninflammatory disorders of testis
This CodeN44.03Torsion of appendix testis

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Torsion of appendix of testis
  • Torsion of testis

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to N44.03: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 14. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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 14 (N00-N99) Diseases of the genitourinary system applies to 838 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 N44.03, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming N44.03: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • N50 Other and unspecified disorders of male genital organs
    torsion of testis (N44.0-) names N44.0-, which includes this code

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR GEN016
Other specified male genital disorders
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Testicular Disorders

Testicles, or testes, make male hormones and sperm. They are two egg-shaped organs inside the scrotum, the loose sac of skin behind the penis. It's easy to injure your testicles because they are not protected by bones or muscles. Men and boys should wear athletic supporters when they play sports.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert N44.03 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
608.23 Torsion appendix testis
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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About N44.03Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for torsion of appendix testis?

The ICD-10-CM code for torsion of appendix testis is N44.03 (sometimes written as N4403). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is N44.03 (Torsion of testis) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report torsion of appendix testis on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does N44.03 group to?

When torsion of appendix testis is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 729, 730, with relative weights from 0.6595 to 1.0553 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is N44.03 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists N44.03 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 5 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of N44.03?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, torsion of appendix testis converts to ICD-9-CM 608.23 (torsion appendix testis). The mapping is a direct match.