Question 1

What is ICD-10 code E54?

Accepted Answer

E54 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for ascorbic acid deficiency. Ascorbic acid deficiency (vitamin C deficiency) causes scurvy, characterized by bleeding gums, poor wound healing, weakness, and joint pain. E54 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (e00-e89), within the section covering other nutritional deficiencies (e50-e64).

E54 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.

Scurvy is rare in developed countries; document risk factors such as poor diet, alcoholism, or malabsorption.

Question 2

Is E54 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

No. E54 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 E54 billable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. E54 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. E54 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 E54?

Accepted Answer

E54 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 model rewards E54 with a risk adjustment factor, it contributes zero to a Medicare Advantage beneficiary's RAF score in either version. Coders should check whether provider documentation supports a more specific child code that does map to a payment HCC.

Question 5

What should coders know when reporting E54?

Accepted Answer

Scurvy is rare in developed countries; document risk factors such as poor diet, alcoholism, or malabsorption Code any associated anemia or bleeding manifestations separately if documented

HCC Buddy Code Card

E54

Is E54 an HCC code?

What This Code Means

Coding Tips

Excludes 1, Do NOT code together

Code Hierarchy

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E54 ICD-10-CM Code: Ascorbic acid deficiency

HCC Buddy Code Card

E54

Is E54 an HCC code?

What This Code Means

Coding Tips

Excludes 1, Do NOT code together

Code Hierarchy

Work E54 in HCC Buddy