E44.1 ICD-10-CM Code: Mild protein-calorie malnutrition
E44.1 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC coding software
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FY 2026 Apr update / Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E89) / Malnutrition (E40-E46)
E44.1
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceMild protein-calorie malnutrition
Mild malnutrition due to inadequate protein and calories, representing the least severe form of protein-calorie malnutrition.
Buddy Insight
Mild protein-calorie malnutrition represents early-stage nutritional deficiency where the patient shows subtle signs of inadequate protein and calorie intake.
CMS-HCC V28
N/A—
Not mapped
CMS-HCC V24
HistoricalHistorical
Not used for CY2026 payment
ACA/HHS
MappedHCC 023
Code-level coefficient reference
ESRD/PACE
MappedHCC 21
Code-level coefficient reference
RXHCC
N/A—
Not mapped
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialNo inclusion terms are included in this display for E44.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 2
Official- nutritional anemias (D50-D53)Inherited from E40-E46
- starvation (T73.0)Inherited from E40-E46
Related Codes
Includes
OfficialNo Includes notes are included in this display for E44.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 1
Official- transitory endocrine and metabolic disorders specific to newborn (P70-P74)Inherited from E00-E89, E40-E46
- intestinal malabsorption (K90.-)Inherited from E00-E89, E40-E46
- sequelae of protein-calorie malnutrition (E64.0)Inherited from E00-E89, E40-E46
Code First
OfficialNo Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for E44.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Use Additional
OfficialNo Use Additional Code instructions are included in this display for E44.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Code Also
OfficialNo Code Also instructions are included in this display for E44.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Buddy Documentation Tip
MEAT Support
Audit Caution
Common Mistakes
Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →
Is E44.1 an HCC code?
E44.1 is not in the CMS-HCC V28 or V24 community payment model. E44.1 has a separate mapping under the CMS-HCC ESRD model (HCC 21 (Protein-Calorie Malnutrition)); the applicable result needs member context. E44.1 also appears in the HHS-HCC commercial risk model (HCC 023 (HHS-HCC 023 adult, RAF varies by metal level)), which is a commercial market model rather than a Medicare Advantage payment mapping.
- Code
- E44.1
- Description
- Mild protein-calorie malnutrition
- HCC (V28)
- No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
- RAF reference coefficient
- —
- Billable
- Yes
- Payment year
- 2026
HCC Category Mapping
These are source-labeled model coefficients, not member totals. A category may still be removed by hierarchy or model cleanup rules. Weights are not directly comparable across models: CMS-HCC V28 and V24 use Community, Non-Dual, Aged; ESRD uses the dialysis continuing-enrollee model; RxHCC is the Part D continuing-enrollee, non-low-income, aged weight (a larger scale than CMS-HCC). ACA/HHS has no single weight — it varies by metal level. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member context, hierarchy and cleanup rules, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains available for historical review.
Work E44.1 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →
MEAT review for E44.1
For E44.1, confirm that the documentation supports the diagnosis and meets the applicable coding, encounter, program and payer requirements. MEAT (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) is a review mnemonic, not a universal CMS coding rule.
- MMonitor: signs, symptoms, disease progression, or lab trending documented in the note
- EEvaluate: test results, medication response, or physical findings reviewed by the provider
- AAssess: explicit mention in the assessment or plan with acknowledgment of status
- TTreat: medication, referral, procedure, therapy, or counseling tied to the diagnosis
Coder workflow notes
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What This Code Means
E44.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for mild protein-calorie malnutrition. Mild malnutrition due to inadequate protein and calories, representing the least severe form of protein-calorie malnutrition. E44.1 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (e00-e89), within the section covering malnutrition (e40-e46).
E44.1 has no mapping under the CMS-HCC V28 or V24 community payment models. E44.1 has a separate mapping under the CMS-HCC ESRD model (HCC 21 (Protein-Calorie Malnutrition)); the applicable result needs member context. E44.1 also appears in the HHS-HCC commercial risk model (HCC 023 (HHS-HCC 023 adult, RAF varies by metal level)), which is a commercial market model rather than a Medicare Advantage payment mapping. Do not assign V28 risk adjustment value from this page; verify the applicable model and payment year before using this code for risk adjustment.
Mild protein-calorie malnutrition, mild PCM with nutritional assessment criteria supporting the diagnosis.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for E44.1 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Mild protein-calorie malnutrition, mild PCM with nutritional assessment criteria supporting the diagnosis.
- •Even mild PCM requires documented criteria beyond a single low lab value. ASPEN criteria are the standard.
- •Protein-calorie malnutrition is not risk-adjusted in V28; code it accurately for clinical completeness only.
Clinical Significance
Mild protein-calorie malnutrition represents early-stage nutritional deficiency where the patient shows subtle signs of inadequate protein and calorie intake. While less immediately dangerous than moderate or severe forms, mild malnutrition still increases vulnerability to infections, impairs wound healing, and can progress to more severe malnutrition if not addressed through dietary counseling and nutritional supplementation.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation should include objective findings supporting mild severity: body mass index between 17-18.4, weight loss of 1-5% over a defined period, mildly reduced albumin or prealbumin, or mild muscle wasting.
- ✓The provider must explicitly state the severity as mild and document the clinical basis for the malnutrition diagnosis.
- ✓Nutritional screening tool results and a dietary plan should be noted.
Commonly Confused Codes
- •E44.0 (Moderate protein-calorie malnutrition) involves greater severity.
- •E46 (Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition) does not specify severity.
- •R63.6 (Underweight) captures low body weight without a malnutrition diagnosis.
- •R63.4 (Abnormal weight loss) is a symptom code, not a diagnosis of malnutrition.
- •Z71.3 (Dietary counseling and surveillance) may be coded additionally.