What is the ICD-10 code for severe malnutrition?

The ICD-10 code for unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition is E43. It requires documentation of significant weight loss and muscle wasting.

How do you code moderate malnutrition?

Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition is coded as E44.0, requiring documentation of 2-5% weight loss and mild fat/muscle loss.

ICD-10 Coding for Malnutrition(E43, E44.0, E44.1)

Save

Explore comprehensive ICD-10 coding guidelines for malnutrition, including severe, moderate, and mild forms. Learn about documentation requirements and common coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Protein-Calorie MalnutritionPCMUndernutrition

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Malnutrition

E00-E89Primary Range

Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases

→

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

Code	Description	When to Use	Key Documentation
E43	Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition	Use when severe malnutrition is documented with specific clinical findings.	Weight loss >5% in 1 month Muscle wasting
E44.0	Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition	Use when moderate malnutrition is documented with specific clinical findings.	Weight loss 2-5% Mild fat/muscle loss
E44.1	Mild protein-calorie malnutrition	Use when mild malnutrition is documented with specific clinical findings.	Weight loss <2% No muscle loss
R64	Cachexia	Use when cachexia is documented with non-nutritional etiology.	Chronic inflammation Weight loss

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes

Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition

E43Billable

Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition

E44.0Billable

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions

Moderate protein-calorie malnutritionE44.0

Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutritionE43

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common issues when documenting Malnutrition.

Vague documentation of malnutrition

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate clinical assessment, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Potential loss of reimbursement

Mitigation

Use specific clinical criteria, Follow ASPEN guidelines

Coding E43 for BMI<18 alone

Impact

Reimbursement: $3470/claim, Compliance: High risk of audit, Data Quality: Inaccurate severity classification

Mitigation

Use E44.1 unless ASPEN criteria are met.

Documenting 'cachexia' without etiology

Impact

Reimbursement: Potential claim denial, Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines, Data Quality: Incomplete clinical picture

Mitigation

Code R64 with underlying condition.

Severe malnutrition coding

Impact

High risk of audit if E43 is used without meeting ASPEN criteria.

Mitigation

Ensure documentation includes specific clinical findings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements, coding pitfalls and FAQs for conditions coded with E43.

Primary Code

E43

Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition

Quick Navigation

ICD-10 codes3

Coding risks4

FAQs2

ICD-10 Coding for Malnutrition(E43, E44.0, E44.1)

Documentation & Coding Risks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ICD-10 code for severe malnutrition?

How do you code moderate malnutrition?

Related condition guides