2021 ICD-10-CM Code Q44
Congenital malformations of gallbladder, bile ducts and liver
Not Valid for Submission
Q44 is a "header" nonspecific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of congenital malformations of gallbladder, bile ducts and liver. The code is NOT valid for the year 2021 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.
| ICD-10: | Q44 |
| Short Description: | Congenital malform of gallbladder, bile ducts and liver |
| Long Description: | Congenital malformations of gallbladder, bile ducts and liver |
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Congenital malform of gallbladder, bile ducts and liver
Header codes like Q44 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10 codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for congenital malform of gallbladder, bile ducts and liver:
- Q44.0 - Agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia of gallbladder
- Q44.1 - Other congenital malformations of gallbladder
- Q44.2 - Atresia of bile ducts
- Q44.3 - Congenital stenosis and stricture of bile ducts
- Q44.4 - Choledochal cyst
- Q44.5 - Other congenital malformations of bile ducts
- Q44.6 - Cystic disease of liver
- Q44.7 - Other congenital malformations of liver
Information for Patients
Birth Defects
A birth defect is a problem that happens while a baby is developing in the mother's body. Most birth defects happen during the first 3 months of pregnancy. One out of every 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect.
A birth defect may affect how the body looks, works or both. Some birth defects like cleft lip or neural tube defects are structural problems that can be easy to see. To find others, like heart defects, doctors use special tests. Birth defects can range from mild to severe. Causes can include
- Genetics
- Exposures to medicines or chemicals. For example, alcohol abuse can cause fetal alcohol syndrome.
- Infections during pregnancy
- Certain medicines. Before you get pregnant, talk to your health care provider about any medicines you take.
- Not getting enough of certain nutrients. For example, not getting enough folic acid before and during pregnancy is a key factor in causing neural tube defects.
For most birth defects, the cause is unknown.
Health care providers can diagnose certain birth defects during pregnancy, with prenatal tests. That's why it important to get regular prenatal care. Other birth defects may not be found until after the baby is born. Sometimes the defect is obvious right away. Other times, the health care provider may not discover it until later in life.
Babies with birth defects often need special care and treatments. The treatments may include surgery, medicines, assistive devices, and therapies.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Intersex (Medical Encyclopedia)
[Learn More]
Code History
- FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
- FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
- FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
- FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
- FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
- FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016 (First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)