Question 1

What is ICD-10 code Q71.43?

Accepted Answer

Q71.43 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for longitudinal reduction defect of radius, bilateral. A birth defect affecting both radius bones (forearm bones on the thumb side of both arms) where they are underdeveloped, shortened, or partially absent on both sides. Q71.43 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (q00-qa0), within the section covering congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system (q65-q79).

Q71.43 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.

Only use when bilateral involvement is explicitly documented in the medical record.

Question 2

Is Q71.43 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

No. Q71.43 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 Q71.43 billable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Q71.43 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. Q71.43 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

Which HCC does Q71.43 map to under V28?

Accepted Answer

Q71.43 does not map to a CMS-HCC V28 payment category. Check the current CMS-HCC V28 model file for payment year 2026 rather than an older V24 tip sheet.

Question 5

What does Q71.43 pay in RAF?

Accepted Answer

Q71.43 has no separately stated V28 community RAF weight. If it is not a V28 payment HCC, it adds nothing to a community RAF score.

Question 6

What is the V28 vs V24 difference for Q71.43?

Accepted Answer

Q71.43 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 community model rewards Q71.43 with a risk adjustment factor, it contributes zero to a Medicare Advantage beneficiary's V28/V24 community RAF score in either version. Coders should check whether provider documentation supports a more specific child code that does map to a community payment HCC.

Question 7

What documentation supports Q71.43?

Accepted Answer

Only use when bilateral involvement is explicitly documented in the medical record Verify this is not a unilateral defect before assigning this code Q71.43 is not a CMS-HCC payment code, so MEAT is not the payment hook. Documentation still has to support the diagnosis if you report it.

HCC Buddy Code Card

Q71.43

Is Q71.43 an HCC code?

Get the V28 RAF + MEAT cheat sheet

What This Code Means

Coding Tips

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

Work Q71.43 in HCC Buddy

Q71.43 ICD-10-CM Code: Longitudinal reduction defect of radius, bilateral

HCC Buddy Code Card

Q71.43

Is Q71.43 an HCC code?

Get the V28 RAF + MEAT cheat sheet

What This Code Means

Coding Tips

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

Work Q71.43 in HCC Buddy