Question 1

What is ICD-10 code H16.143?

Accepted Answer

H16.143 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for punctate keratitis, bilateral. Small, scattered spots of inflammation on the cornea of both eyes, typically causing mild discomfort and tearing. H16.143 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the eye and adnexa (h00-h59), within the section covering disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body (h15-h22).

H16.143 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.

Bilateral presentation suggests a systemic or environmental cause; review for conditions like dry eye syndrome or medication side effects.

Question 2

Is H16.143 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

No. H16.143 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 H16.143 billable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. H16.143 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. H16.143 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 H16.143?

Accepted Answer

H16.143 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 H16.143 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 H16.143?

Accepted Answer

Bilateral presentation suggests a systemic or environmental cause; review for conditions like dry eye syndrome or medication side effects Use this code when both eyes are affected rather than coding each eye separately

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H16.143

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H16.143 ICD-10-CM Code: Punctate keratitis, bilateral

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H16.143

Is H16.143 an HCC code?

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