Question 1

What is ICD-10 code B77.89?

Accepted Answer

B77.89 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for ascariasis with other complications. An infection with Ascaris roundworms that causes complications other than intestinal obstruction or pneumonia, such as malnutrition or biliary involvement. B77.89 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for certain infectious and parasitic diseases (a00-b99), within the section covering helminthiases (b65-b83).

B77.89 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions but it does not contribute to a beneficiary's RAF score and therefore does not affect risk-adjusted payments to the plan.

Document the specific complication (e.g., malnutrition, biliary obstruction, appendicitis) when present.

Question 2

Is B77.89 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

No. B77.89 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any payment HCC category under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can still be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions, but it does not contribute to the beneficiary's Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) score and therefore does not affect the risk-adjusted capitation payment to the plan. V28 reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026.

Question 3

Is B77.89 billable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. B77.89 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can be reported on professional and institutional claims as a primary or secondary diagnosis when the provider documentation supports the specific condition described. Billable codes in ICD-10-CM are coded to the highest level of specificity available for the documented diagnosis. B77.89 is current for fiscal year 2026 and remains in the active CMS ICD-10-CM code set published by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Question 4

What is the V28 vs V24 difference for B77.89?

Accepted Answer

B77.89 does not map to a payment HCC under either the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model or the older V24 model. V28 reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition. Because neither community model rewards B77.89 with a risk adjustment factor, it contributes zero to a Medicare Advantage beneficiary's V28/V24 community RAF score in either version. Coders should check whether provider documentation supports a more specific child code that does map to a community payment HCC.

Question 5

What should coders know when reporting B77.89?

Accepted Answer

Document the specific complication (e.g., malnutrition, biliary obstruction, appendicitis) when present This code captures less common manifestations of ascariasis beyond the typical intestinal and pulmonary presentations

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B77.89

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B77.89 ICD-10-CM Code: Ascariasis with other complications

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B77.89

Is B77.89 an HCC code?

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