Question 1

What is ICD-10 code H16.441?

Accepted Answer

H16.441 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for deep vascularization of cornea, right eye. New blood vessel growth extending into the deeper layers of the cornea in the right eye, typically from chronic inflammation or disease. H16.441 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).

H16.441 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.

This code indicates deeper corneal involvement than localized vascularization; ensure documentation supports this distinction.

Question 2

Is H16.441 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

No. H16.441 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 H16.441 billable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. H16.441 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. H16.441 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 H16.441?

Accepted Answer

H16.441 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 H16.441 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 H16.441?

Accepted Answer

This code indicates deeper corneal involvement than localized vascularization; ensure documentation supports this distinction Deep vascularization may have greater impact on vision and treatment planning

HCC Buddy Code Card

H16.441

Is H16.441 an HCC code?

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H16.441 ICD-10-CM Code: Deep vascularization of cornea, right eye

HCC Buddy Code Card

H16.441

Is H16.441 an HCC code?

What This Code Means

Coding Tips

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

Open H16.441 in the Interactive Encoder