2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q44.0Agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia of gallbladder

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q38-Q45›Q44

ICD-10-CM Q44.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Q44.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia of gallbladder. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 441 through 443. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as agenesis of gallbladder. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Digestive congenital anomalies.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q44.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia of gallbladder
Short Description
Agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia of gallbladder
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Q44
Congenital malformations of gallbladder, bile ducts and liver

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ38-Q45Other congenital malformations of the digestive system
CategoryQ44Congenital malformations of gallbladder, bile ducts and liver
This CodeQ44.0Agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia of gallbladder

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Q44.0 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Agenesis of gallbladder
  • Aplasia of gallbladder
  • Congenital absence of gallbladder
  • Congenital absence of liver and/or gallbladder
  • Congenital hypoplasia of gallbladder
  • Congenital hypoplasia of pancreas
  • Hypoplasia of pancreas, intestinal atresia, hypoplasia of gallbladder syndrome

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Congenital absence of gallbladder

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.

    • Absence(of) (organ or part) (complete or partial)
      • gallbladder (acquired)
        • congenital
    • Agenesis
      • gallbladder
    • Aplasia
      • gallbladder, congenital
    • Hypoplasia, hypoplastic
      • gallbladder

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MAL002
Digestive congenital anomalies
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

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.

The full article covers:

  • What are birth defects?
  • What causes birth defects?
  • Who is at risk of having a baby with birth defects?
  • How are birth defects diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for birth defects?
  • Can birth defects be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert Q44.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
751.69 Biliary & liver anom NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 Q44.0Overview

Is Q44.0 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia of gallbladder on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does Q44.0 group to?

When agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia of gallbladder is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 441, 442, 443, with relative weights from 0.6997 to 1.7947 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is Q44.0 exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia of gallbladder on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Q44.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia of gallbladder converts to ICD-9-CM 751.69 (biliary & liver anom NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.