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    OpenPayerBilling CodesMalnutritionICD-10-CM e46-unspecified-protein-calorie-malnutrition
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Unspecified Protein-Calorie Malnutrition: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group E46 includes diagnoses of protein-calorie malnutrition that are unspecified for severity and cover conditions of nutritional insufficiency leading to weight loss, muscle wasting, and impaired physiological function. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios of generalized malnutrition, capturing information about nutritional status, associated complications, and clinical complexity relevant to treatment and care planning. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM E46 group supports complete clinical documentation and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM E46: Unspecified Protein-Calorie Malnutrition Overview

    This group represents diagnoses of protein-calorie malnutrition that are not specified as mild, moderate, or severe and typically reflect inadequate intake or absorption of calories and protein affecting nutritional status. It targets systemic nutritional deficiency impacting multiple body systems, particularly metabolic and musculoskeletal function. Accurate coding matters for documenting clinical severity and supporting appropriate reimbursement for nutrition-related care.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a patient demonstrates signs of malnutrition such as unintended weight loss, muscle wasting, or poor nutritional intake and the clinician documents the condition without specifying severity. These codes apply in clinical encounters focused on assessing or treating generalized protein-calorie nutritional deficiency.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    1 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E46Unspecified 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 weight loss, decreased oral intake, and generalized weakness over several months is evaluated by primary care after difficulty ambulating and recurrent falls. Laboratory studies show mild hypoalbuminemia but no identifiable acute illness; the clinician documents chronic inadequate nutritional intake leading to decline in functional status and assigns a diagnosis from this group to reflect the ongoing undernutrition. Typical codes: E46.
    • An adult patient with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presents for routine outpatient follow-up reporting unintentional 12% body weight loss over 6 months, muscle wasting, and poor appetite despite optimized pulmonary therapy. The care team attributes the decline to sustained inadequate caloric and protein intake related to disease burden and documents the unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition as a comorbidity affecting management and prognosis. Typical codes: E46.
    • A hospitalized middle-aged patient admitted for sepsis is found on admission assessment to be cachectic with significant recent weight loss and low body mass index after prolonged illness; nutrition consult notes insufficient nutritional reserves that may impair recovery. The inpatient team records an unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition diagnosis to capture the patient’s malnourished state impacting inpatient care and discharge planning. Typical codes: E46.

    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

    E44-PROTEIN-CALORIE-MALNUTRITION

    ICD-10-CM Code For Protein-Calorie Malnutrition Of Moderate And Mild Degree: Group Overview

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

    ICD-10-CM Code For Retarded Development Following 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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