Z93.9
BillableArtificial opening status, unspecified
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026) | CMS-HCC V28 (100% phase-in, PY2026)
Is Z93.9 an HCC code?
Yes. Z93.9 maps to Artificial Openings for Feeding or Elimination under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model (and Artificial Openings for Feeding or Elimination under V24).
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 Z93.9
For Z93.9 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 Z93.9 during that encounter — not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.
What This Code Means
Z93.9 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for artificial opening status, unspecified. A surgically created opening in the body for medical purposes, but the specific type or location is not documented or specified. Z93.9 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for factors influencing health status and contact with health services (z00-z99), within the section covering persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status (z77-z99).
Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, Z93.9 maps to Artificial Openings for Feeding or Elimination (HCC 463) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.233. Under the older V24 model, Z93.9 mapped to the same category but with a base RAF weight of 0.570 — V28 recalibrated weights across the entire model. 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.
Avoid using this code when a more specific Z93 code can be determined; query the provider for clarification. Because Z93.9 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 Z93.9 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Avoid using this code when a more specific Z93 code can be determined; query the provider for clarification
- •This should only be used when insufficient documentation prevents more specific coding
Clinical Significance
This code indicates the presence of an artificial opening but lacks specific documentation of type or location, limiting care coordination effectiveness. While still representing significant surgical intervention, the unspecified nature may impact quality of care and appropriate resource allocation.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Confirmation of artificial opening presence
- ✓Reason for unspecified documentation
- ✓Any available details about location or type
- ✓Current functionality and care needs
- ✓Attempts to clarify specific type
- ✓General care requirements
- ✓Any complications or issues
- ✓Plans to obtain more specific information