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Built around HCC coder workflows

ICD-10-CM and HCC encoder. Your source, in view.

Search a code, check its HCC mapping and source edition, then save the reference with your review notes.

J44.9 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Encoder
E11.65 Search
E11.65 Billable
V28 · PY2026
HCC 38
V24 · PY2025
HCC 18
CNA ref
0.166
ehr-chart · coder view
HCC Buddy
J44.9
J44.9Billable
V28HCC 280
CNA ref0.319
Code card preview
FY2026 · APR UPDATE
J44.9 Billable

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified
Illustrative card. CNA coefficient references are not member RAF scores.

V28 · PY2026
HCC 280
CNA ref 0.319
V24 · PY2025
HCC 111
Historical reference
Other models
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Look up ICD-10-CM codes, check the edition and open the source details from your phone.

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Risk-adjustment coding shouldn't mean ten browser tabs.

Stop stitching the answer together across references. Buddy keeps it in one screen.

The old way
ICD-10 codebook, flipping pages
HCC crosswalk spreadsheet
Separate model coefficient tables
Documentation reference PDF
NPI registry, in another tab
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The HCC Buddy way
Keep the code path, HCC mapping and source context together.
Billable status and code path, instantly
Current V28 and historical V24 reference context
Source year and period shown with results
Encoder

Search ICD-10-CM and check the HCC mapping.

Search a code like E11.65 for billable status, the full code path and model references labeled by payment year.

E11.65 searchHCC valuesCode path
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Encoder preview · PY2026 V28 CNA references
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E11.65 Billable
Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia
V28 · PY2026
HCC 38
V24 · PY2025
HCC 18
CNA ref
0.166
CODE PATH E11›E11.6›E11.65
Ask Buddy

Ask the coding question without leaving the encoder.

Buddy answers code-aware questions with HCC context, documentation focus, and the next review step.

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Ask Buddy preview · PY2026 V28
Does E11.65 map for V28, and what should I check?
Buddy
Buddy
Maps to CMS-HCC V28 HCC 38.
Confirm the documented diagnosis and ICD-10-CM instructions.
Review the full documentation and applicable coding guidelines.
Code Book

Browse the ICD-10-CM tabular list the way coders read it.

Choose the edition, follow the Tabular instructions, and save a code reference to Notes or your team review queue.

Tabular listCode pathInline HCC
Explore the Code Book →
Code Book preview · FY2026 April
J44 · Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chapter Diseases of the respiratory system (J00–J99)
J44 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
J44.0 with (acute) lower respiratory infection
J44.1 with (acute) exacerbation
J44.9 COPD, unspecified Billable HCC 280
Evidence Support

Separate mapped diagnoses from supported diagnoses.

Flag documentation questions for coder review. MEAT is a review mnemonic; the applicable coding guidelines still control.

MEATSOEGaps
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Evidence Checker preview
De-identified note
Assessment referenced. A1c ordered. Medication plan discussed and continued.
Check Evidence
Monitor
Pending
Assess
Pending
Treat
Pending
Illustrative preview. Verify the documented diagnosis and coding rules.
Your coding assistant

Keep your coding question beside the source.

Ask Buddy uses the selected source edition for supported coding questions. Check the cited reference and any source limits before using an answer.

Code-aware answers tied to the code you are reviewing
Documentation questions and the next review step
Visible source limits when an answer cannot be verified
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Ask Buddy ILLUSTRATIVE PREVIEW
Does J44.9 still map under V28, and what should I confirm?
Buddy
PY2026 V28: HCC 280. CNA coefficient reference 0.319, not a member RAF score.
Confirm the documented diagnosis and ICD-10-CM instructions.
Review the full documentation and applicable coding guidelines.
Source editions

Official references, with the source edition in view.

Check the published edition and effective period. New sources become available after their files and mappings pass verification.

Built from official CMS files

HCC mappings and code-level coefficient references are tied to registered CMS-HCC V28 files. The RAF Calculator requires complete member context and shows no score unless every source and calculation check passes.

Source context

Check the selected ICD-10-CM edition and model. Historical code lookup does not imply support for historical RAF scoring.

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Keep source references and review decisions together.

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Questions? We have answers.

HCC stands for Hierarchical Condition Category. CMS uses HCC risk adjustment to estimate expected medical cost for Medicare Advantage members based on the diagnoses a provider reports during the year (CMS Risk Adjustment program: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-plans/medicareadvtgspecratestats/risk-adjustors).
V24 is the 2020 CMS-HCC model with 86 payment HCCs; V28 is the 2024 model with 115 payment HCCs. For CY2026 non-PACE Medicare Advantage, CMS completed the V28 phase-in and uses 100% V28. PACE has a separate model blend. HCC Buddy shows current PY2026 V28 mapping and historical PY2025 V24 references separately. Sources: CMS December 2024 Report to Congress, Table 2-2 (https://www.cms.gov/files/document/report-congress-risk-adjustment-medicare-advantage-december-2024.pdf#page=29); CMS 2026 Rate Announcement (https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-advantage-part-d-rate-announcement).
A member RAF score combines demographic factors with applicable HCC coefficients after model hierarchy and cleanup rules, plus qualifying interaction terms. HCC Buddy's RAF Calculator supports seven continuing-enrollee segments in CMS-HCC V28 for Payment Year 2026 and requires complete member context. It shows no score unless the required source and calculation checks pass. Code-level coefficients are references, not member totals, and historical PY2025 V24 stays reference-only. PACE, new-enrollee, HHS and ESRD scoring are not supported. Source: CMS Risk Adjustment model software (https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/medicare-advantage-rates-statistics/risk-adjustment).
Evidence Checker flags documentation gaps and conflicting wording for coder review. MEAT (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, Treat) is a review mnemonic, not a substitute for the applicable ICD-10-CM guidelines. A flagged or unflagged result does not establish a diagnosis, reportability or audit acceptance.
For the FY2026 April edition, the published HCC Buddy reference includes 74,719 billable ICD-10-CM codes. Of those, 8,016 have a PY2026 V28 mapping, including six codes with a mapping condition. These are code counts, not HCC category counts or member RAF scores. Check the selected edition and source notes on the ICD-10 to HCC mapping page (https://hccbuddy.com/icd10-to-hcc).
Yes. Start Pro and get 7 days to try the full workflow, no card required. Pro is $19.99/mo founder price (originally $29.99/mo) or $199.99/year. See the live rate at https://hccbuddy.com/pricing.
No. HCC Buddy is built for deidentified coding questions, ICD-10-CM codes, and clinical concepts. Do not paste member identifiers, dates of birth, full chart notes, or other patient identifiers into Ask Buddy.

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Coder references

HCC coding paths coders use every day

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CMS Watch

Latest risk adjustment updates

All CMS Watch news
CMS Watch Oct 13, 2026 January 2027 HH CB update (CR 14639): A4453 and A4459 leave the non-routine supply list CMS Transmittal R13988CP / CR 14639, issued October 8, 2026, is the January 2027 annual update to HCPCS lists used for Home Health consolidated billing. Effective January 1, 2027, A4453 and A4459 come off the non-routine supply list. A4453 had only been added on October 1, 2026. CMS Watch Oct 12, 2026 October 2026 ASC update (CR 14634): 10 Category III codes, drug PI moves, and two reprocessing windows CMS Transmittal R13983CP, issued October 8, 2026 and effective October 1, sets ASC payment indicators for ten new Category III CPT codes, twelve new pass-through drug codes, eight new skin substitute codes, and 21 drug payment status changes. MACs must also reprocess ASC claims with A9521 back to May 14, 2026 and J9161 back to July 1, 2026. CMS Watch Oct 9, 2026 CR 14582: CMS will reprocess 2023-2024 POS 32 claims that overlap Part A SNF stays CMS Transmittal R13995CP, issued October 8, 2026, tells the Common Working File to run a one-time look-back that flags Part B claim lines billed with POS 32 from May 11, 2023 through December 31, 2024 that overlap a covered Part A SNF or swing-bed stay. MACs will reprocess those lines and recoup any resulting overpayments, with implementation set for April 2027.
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