Q43.3
BillableCongenital malformations of intestinal fixation
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026) | CMS-HCC V28 (100% phase-in, PY2026)
Is Q43.3 an HCC code?
Yes. Q43.3 maps to Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model.
HCC Category Mapping
RAF weights shown are the community, non-dual, aged base weights from the CMS risk adjustment model file. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member segment, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains in use during the transition and for historical data.
MEAT Criteria for Q43.3
For Q43.3 to count as a valid HCC diagnosis in a given encounter, the provider's documentation must show MEAT: Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat. A diagnosis from a prior year does not carry forward automatically — it has to be re-documented and supported each calendar year.
- MMonitor: signs, symptoms, disease progression, or lab trending documented in the note
- EEvaluate: test results, medication response, or physical findings reviewed by the provider
- AAssess: explicit mention in the assessment or plan with acknowledgment of status
- TTreat: medication, referral, procedure, therapy, or counseling tied to the diagnosis
Only one of M/E/A/T is required to support the code, but the documentation must be specific enough to show that the provider actually addressed Q43.3 during that encounter — not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.
What This Code Means
Q43.3 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for congenital malformations of intestinal fixation. A birth defect where the intestines are abnormally attached or positioned within the abdomen, which may cause twisting or obstruction. Q43.3 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for congenital malformations, deformations, chromosomal abnormalities, and genetic disorders (q00-qa0), within the section covering other congenital malformations of the digestive system (q38-q45).
Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, Q43.3 maps to Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation (HCC 78) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.000. Q43.3 was not retained as a payment HCC under the older V24 model, so V28 introduced or recategorized it during the 2024–2026 phase-in. V28 is the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model that reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition.
This includes conditions like malrotation and abnormal peritoneal attachments. Because Q43.3 maps to a payment HCC, the provider's documentation must satisfy MEAT criteria (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) for the encounter to count toward the patient's Medicare Advantage risk adjustment score. When documentation is ambiguous, coders should issue a provider query rather than assume the highest-specificity variant.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for Q43.3 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •This includes conditions like malrotation and abnormal peritoneal attachments
- •Specify the type of fixation abnormality if documented in the medical record
Clinical Significance
Congenital malformations of intestinal fixation can lead to serious complications including volvulus, intussusception, and bowel obstruction, potentially requiring emergency surgical intervention. These conditions require careful monitoring throughout life and may impact nutrition and growth, making accurate diagnosis and coding critical for appropriate care coordination.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Specific type of fixation abnormality (malrotation, non-rotation, etc.)
- ✓Anatomical description of abnormal positioning
- ✓Associated complications (volvulus, obstruction, ischemia)
- ✓Surgical interventions performed (Ladd procedure, etc.)
- ✓Radiological findings supporting the diagnosis
- ✓Current symptom status and functional impact
- ✓Any emergency presentations or complications