Q44.5 ICD-10-CM Code: Other congenital malformations of bile ducts
HCC Buddy Code Card
Digital ICD-10 code-book layout with official code detail, always-visible risk models, Code Trumping, and Buddy coding guidance.
FY 2026 Apr update / Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-QA0) / Other congenital malformations of the digestive system (Q38-Q45)
Q44.5
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceOther congenital malformations of bile ducts
A birth defect involving structural abnormalities of the bile ducts not classified as atresia, stenosis, or choledochal cyst.
CMS-HCC V28
N/A—
Not mapped
CMS-HCC V24
N/A—
Not mapped
ACA/HHS
N/A—
Not mapped
ESRD/PACE
N/A—
Not mapped
RXHCC
N/A—
Not mapped
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
Official- Accessory hepatic duct
- Biliary duct duplication
- Congenital malformation of bile duct NOS
- Cystic duct duplication
Excludes 2
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for Q44.5 in this effective period.
Related Child Codes
Includes
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for Q44.5 in this effective period.
Excludes 1
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for Q44.5 in this effective period.
Code First
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for Q44.5 in this effective period.
Use Additional
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for Q44.5 in this effective period.
Code Also
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for Q44.5 in this effective period.
Buddy Documentation Tip
Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →
Is Q44.5 an HCC code?
No. Q44.5 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.
- Code
- Q44.5
- Description
- Other congenital malformations of bile ducts
- HCC (V28)
- No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
- RAF
- —
- Billable
- Yes
- Payment year
- 2026
Coder workflow notes
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This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).
What This Code Means
Q44.5 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other congenital malformations of bile ducts. A birth defect involving structural abnormalities of the bile ducts not classified as atresia, stenosis, or choledochal cyst. Q44.5 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (q00-qa0), within the section covering other congenital malformations of the digestive system (q38-q45).
Q44.5 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 is a catch-all code for bile duct malformations not specified elsewhere.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for Q44.5 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •This is a catch-all code for bile duct malformations not specified elsewhere
- •Review documentation carefully to ensure a more specific Q44 code is not applicable