Question 1

What is ICD-10 code E88?

Accepted Answer

E88 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Other and unspecified metabolic disorders. It belongs to the ICD-10-CM chapter for endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (e00-e89). E88 is a non-billable header code that organizes more specific child codes; the actual diagnosis on a claim must use one of those children. E88 is part of the FY2026 ICD-10-CM code set published by the CMS National Center for Health Statistics and used on Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial claims in the United States.

Question 2

Is E88 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

E88 is a non-billable header code, so it cannot itself be a payment HCC. Header codes organize more specific child codes that share the same root concept; one of those children may map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28 or V24 risk adjustment model. Coders should select a child code from the E88 hierarchy that matches the documented presentation, then check that specific child for HCC status.

Question 3

Is E88 billable?

Accepted Answer

No. E88 is a header (non-billable) ICD-10-CM code. Header codes sit at a higher level of the diagnosis hierarchy and exist to organize a family of more specific child codes. Per ICD-10-CM coding guidelines, a header code cannot be reported on a claim as the diagnosis, coders must select a billable child code from the E88 hierarchy that matches the highest level of specificity supported by the provider's documentation. Payers reject header codes submitted as the primary diagnosis.

HCC Buddy Code Card

E88

What This Code Means

Excludes 1, Do NOT code together

Use Additional Code

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

Open E88 in the Interactive Encoder

E88 ICD-10-CM Code: Other and unspecified metabolic disorders