K90.49
BillableMalabsorption due to intolerance, not elsewhere classified
HCC Category Mapping
RxHCCHCC 66 — Pancreatic Disease and Disorders
0.000What This Code Means
Poor nutrient absorption caused by intolerance to specific foods or substances other than gluten, resulting in digestive and nutritional problems.
Coding Tips
- •Specify the type of intolerance (lactose, fructose, etc.) in documentation when possible
- •Use this code only when the intolerance does not fit other specific malabsorption categories
Clinical Significance
This code captures malabsorption syndromes caused by food intolerances other than celiac disease, representing chronic conditions requiring dietary management and nutritional monitoring. These conditions can significantly impact patient quality of life and nutritional status.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Specific food or substance causing intolerance identified
- ✓Evidence of malabsorption when exposed to the substance
- ✓Symptoms improvement with avoidance of triggering substance
- ✓Laboratory evidence of malabsorption or deficiency
- ✓Exclusion of celiac disease and other specific causes
- ✓Documentation that condition is not elsewhere classified
- ✓Dietary history and response to elimination diets
- ✓Nutritional assessment and deficiency documentation
Commonly Confused Codes
K90.0 — Celiac disease is specifically gluten-related and has distinct pathophysiologyK90.41-K90.49 — Other specific intolerance codes should be used when applicableK59.1 — Functional diarrhea lacks the malabsorption componentK90.9 — Unspecified malabsorption used when specific intolerance cannot be identified
Code Hierarchy
└K90Intestinal malabsorption└K90.4Other malabsorption due to intolerance└K90.49Malabsorption due to intolerance, not elsewhere classified
└K90.49Malabsorption due to intolerance, not elsewhere classified