2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T73.0XXAStarvation, initial encounter
T73.0XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for starvation, initial encounter. The 7th character A marks it as an initial encounter code, used while the patient is receiving active treatment. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 922 through 923. Coders also document this condition as anemia due to starvation. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Effect of other external causes, initial encounter; External cause codes: intent of injury, accidental/unintentional; and External cause codes: natural/environment; initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Anemia due to starvation
- Deprivation of food
- Starvation
- Starvation ketoacidosis
- Starvation-related malnutrition
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Effects of other deprivation (T73). Use the following options for the applicable episode of care:
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Starvation
lengthy and continuous deprivation of food. (stedman, 25th ed)
Patient EducationClinical
Malnutrition
Malnutrition means that your body isn't getting enough calories or the right balance of nutrients to stay healthy. This can happen if you don't get enough protein, carbohydrates, and fats, eat too much unhealthy food, or don't get the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
The full article covers:
- What is malnutrition?
- What are the types of malnutrition?
- What causes malnutrition?
- Who is at risk for developing malnutrition?
- What are the symptoms of malnutrition?
- How is malnutrition diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for malnutrition?
- Can malnutrition be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert T73.0XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T73.0XXAOverview
Is T73.0XXA (Starvation) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report starvation, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in T73.0XXA mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for starvation, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does T73.0XXA group to?
When starvation, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 922, 923, with relative weights from 1.0177 to 1.7494 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T73.0XXA?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, starvation, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 994.2 (effects of hunger) and E904.1 (lack of food). 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.
