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    OpenPayerBilling CodesMalnutritionICD-10-CM e44-protein-calorie-malnutrition
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Protein-Calorie Malnutrition Of Moderate And Mild Degree: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group E44 includes diagnoses for moderate and mild protein-calorie malnutrition, capturing undernutrition due to inadequate intake or increased requirements. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document nutritional status, severity of malnutrition, and associated clinical complications that affect overall patient management. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM E44 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM E44: Protein-calorie Malnutrition Of Moderate And Mild Degree Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group E44 covers moderate and mild forms of protein-calorie malnutrition affecting nutritional status. These diagnoses target systemic nutritional deficiency and its impact on pediatric and adult patients. Accurate coding matters for clinical records and can affect reimbursement and care planning.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when clinical documentation supports a diagnosis of moderate or mild protein-calorie malnutrition based on nutritional assessment, weight loss, or clinical findings. Select the appropriate level of severity documented in the medical record to reflect the patients nutritional status.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    2 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E44.0Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition
    E44.1Mild protein-calorie malnutrition

    DRG Codes

    4 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    640Miscellaneous Disorders of Nutrition, Metabolism, Fluids and Electrolytes with MCC
    641Miscellaneous Disorders of Nutrition, Metabolism, Fluids and Electrolytes without MCC
    791Prematurity with Major Problems
    793Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An elderly nursing home resident with progressive unintentional weight loss over several months, decreased oral intake due to dental pain and dementia-related food refusal, and low body mass index on serial measurements presents for outpatient evaluation. The clinician documents reduced muscle mass and inadequate dietary intake leading to an overall decline in nutritional status, prompting assignment of a moderate degree protein-energy malnutrition code to capture nutritional impairment affecting care planning. Typical codes: E44.0
    • A middle-aged patient with chronic Crohn disease on outpatient follow-up reports persistent poor appetite and frequent abdominal pain causing reduced calorie intake, resulting in recent weight loss and lab evidence of hypoalbuminemia but ability to perform most daily activities. Because the malnutrition is less severe and primarily related to chronic gastrointestinal disease with partial preservation of function, a mild degree protein-calorie malnutrition code is assigned as a comorbidity impacting management. Typical codes: E44.1
    • An adult admitted from home after a hip fracture with prolonged preoperative fasting, inadequate nutritional intake post-injury, and documented loss of subcutaneous fat and muscle mass on exam; nutrition consult finds decreased intake since the injury contributing to delayed recovery. The treating team assigns a protein-energy malnutrition diagnosis to reflect the acute-on-chronic decline in nutritional reserves that complicates healing and perioperative care. Typical codes: E44.0, E44.1

    Related Codes

    E40-KWASHIORKOR

    ICD-10-CM Code For Kwashiorkor: Group Overview

    E41-NUTRITIONAL-MARASMUS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Nutritional Marasmus: Group Overview

    E42-MARASMIC-KWASHIORKOR

    ICD-10-CM Code For Marasmic Kwashiorkor: Group Overview

    E43-UNSPECIFIED-SEVERE-PROTEIN-CALORIE-MALNUTRITION

    ICD-10-CM Code For Unspecified Severe Protein-Calorie Malnutrition: Group Overview

    E45-RETARDED-DEVELOPMENT-FOLLOWING-PROTEIN-CALORIE-MALNUTRITION

    ICD-10-CM Code For Retarded Development Following Protein Calorie Malnutrition: Group Overview

    E46-UNSPECIFIED-PROTEIN-CALORIE-MALNUTRITION

    ICD-10-CM Code For Unspecified Protein-Calorie Malnutrition: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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