2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R53.81Other malaise

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R50-R69›R53

ICD-10-CM R53.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R53.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other malaise. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 947 through 948. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. Coders also document this condition as general health deterioration. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Malaise and fatigue.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R53.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Other malaise
Short Description
Other malaise
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
R53.8
Other malaise and fatigue

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR50-R69General symptoms and signs
CategoryR53Malaise and fatigue
This CodeR53.81Other malaise

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • General health deterioration
  • Malaise
  • Malaise and fatigue
  • Malaise with AIDS

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Chronic debility
  • Debility NOS
  • General physical deterioration
  • Malaise NOS
  • Nervous debility

Type 1 Excludes

  • age-related physical debility R54

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.

    • Debility(chronic) (general) (nervous)
    • Debility(chronic) (general) (nervous)
      • nervous
    • Deterioration
      • general physical
    • Malaise

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR SYM007
Malaise and fatigue
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Fatigue, CTCAE 3.0|Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)

    an unfavorable feeling of fatigue temporally associated with the use of a medical treatment or procedure.

  • Grade 1 Fatigue, CTCAE|CTCAE Grade 1 Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)|Grade 1 Fatigue|Grade 1 Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)

    fatigue relieved by rest

  • Grade 1 Malaise, CTCAE|Grade 1 Malaise

    uneasiness or lack of well being

  • Grade 2 Fatigue, CTCAE|CTCAE Grade 2 Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)|Grade 2 Fatigue|Grade 2 Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)

    fatigue not relieved by rest; limiting instrumental adl

  • Grade 2 Malaise, CTCAE|Grade 2 Malaise

    uneasiness or lack of well being limiting instrumental adl

  • Grade 3 Fatigue, CTCAE|CTCAE Grade 3 Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)|Grade 3 Fatigue|Grade 3 Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)

    fatigue not relieved by rest, limiting self care adl

  • Grade 3 Malaise, CTCAE|Grade 3 Malaise

    uneasiness or lack of well being limiting self-care adl

  • Malaise

    a feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness, an out-of-sorts feeling.

  • Malaise, CTCAE|Malaise|Malaise

    a disorder characterized by a feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness, an out-of-sorts feeling.

  • Post-Exertional Malaise|Post Exertional Malaise

    a feeling of malaise after physical or mental effort or stress.

  • Grade 2 Fatigue, CTCAE|CTCAE Grade 2 Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)|Grade 2 Fatigue|Grade 2 Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)

    fatigue not relieved by rest; limiting instrumental adl or mild/moderate impact on age-appropriate normal daily activity (pediatric)

  • Grade 2 Malaise, CTCAE|Grade 2 Malaise

    uneasiness or lack of well being limiting instrumental adl or mild/moderate impact on age-appropriate normal daily activity (pediatric)

  • Grade 3 Fatigue, CTCAE|CTCAE Grade 3 Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)|Grade 3 Fatigue|Grade 3 Fatigue (asthenia, lethargy, malaise)

    fatigue not relieved by rest, limiting self-care adl or severe impact on age-appropriate normal daily activity (pediatric)

  • Grade 3 Malaise, CTCAE|Grade 3 Malaise

    uneasiness or lack of well being limiting self-care adl or severe impact on age-appropriate normal daily activity (pediatric)

Patient EducationClinical

Fatigue

Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy. It can interfere with your usual daily activities. Fatigue can be a normal response to physical activity, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep. But sometimes it can be a sign of a mental or physical condition.

The full article covers:

  • What is fatigue?
  • What causes fatigue?
  • What can I do to manage fatigue?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R53.81 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
780.79 Malaise and fatigue NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
799.3 Debility NOS
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 R53.81Overview

Is R53.81 (Other malaise and fatigue) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report other malaise on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does R53.81 group to?

When other malaise is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 947, 948, with relative weights from 0.8005 to 1.2694 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can R53.81 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the other malaise is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R53.81?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, other malaise converts to ICD-9-CM 780.79 (malaise and fatigue NEC) and 799.3 (debility NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

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.