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  2. ICD-10-CM Index
  3. Chapter: Z00–Z99
  4. Section: Z40-Z53
  5. Block: Z44
  6. Z44.9 - Encounter for fit/adjst of unsp external prosthetic device

2022 ICD-10-CM Code Z44.9
Encounter for fitting and adjustment of unspecified external prosthetic device

Version 2022
Billable Code
Unspecified Code
Unacceptable Principal Diagnosis
MS-DRG Mapping
POA Exempt
ICD-10:Z44.9
Short Description:Encounter for fit/adjst of unsp external prosthetic device
Long Description:Encounter for fitting and adjustment of unspecified external prosthetic device
Status: Valid for Submission

Code Classification

  • Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00–Z99)
    • Encounters for other specific health care (Z40-Z53)
      • Encounter for fit/adjst of external prosthetic device (Z44)

Z44.9 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of encounter for fitting and adjustment of unspecified external prosthetic device. The code Z44.9 is valid during the fiscal year 2022 from October 01, 2021 through September 30, 2022 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. The code is exempt from present on admission (POA) reporting for inpatient admissions to general acute care hospitals.

The code Z44.9 describes a circumstance which influences the patient's health status but not a current illness or injury. The code is unacceptable as a principal diagnosis.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like Z44.9 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Entries in the Index to Diseases and Injuries with references to Z44.9

The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10 code(s). The following references for the code Z44.9 are found in the index:

Code Edits

The Medicare Code Editor (MCE) detects and reports errors in the coding of claims data. The following ICD-10 Code Edits are applicable to this code:

Present on Admission (POA)

Z44.9 is exempt from POA reporting - The Present on Admission (POA) indicator is used for diagnosis codes included in claims involving inpatient admissions to general acute care hospitals. POA indicators must be reported to CMS on each claim to facilitate the grouping of diagnoses codes into the proper Diagnostic Related Groups (DRG). CMS publishes a listing of specific diagnosis codes that are exempt from the POA reporting requirement. Review other POA exempt codes here.

CMS POA Indicator Options and Definitions
POA Indicator CodePOA Reason for CodeCMS will pay the CC/MCC DRG?
YDiagnosis was present at time of inpatient admission.YES
NDiagnosis was not present at time of inpatient admission.NO
UDocumentation insufficient to determine if the condition was present at the time of inpatient admission.NO
WClinically undetermined - unable to clinically determine whether the condition was present at the time of inpatient admission.YES
1Unreported/Not used - Exempt from POA reporting. NO

Convert Z44.9 to ICD-9 Code

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)

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Parent Code: Z44

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