ICD-10 Code for Malabsorption
The ICD-10-CM code for malabsorption is K90.9 — Intestinal malabsorption, unspecified. This is the code the Alphabetic Index gives for malabsorption with no further qualifier, valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
K90.9 is billable but unspecified. If the documentation names a type, site or cause, one of the more specific codes below is likely expected.
Which malabsorption code should you use?
The Alphabetic Index lists 9 codes under Malabsorption. Which one applies depends on the qualifier documented in the record — the type, site, cause, or associated condition. Find the qualifier below, then verify the code in the Tabular List before using it.
By type
| calcium | K90.89 | Other intestinal malabsorption | |
| carbohydrate | K90.49 | Malabsorption due to intolerance, not elsewhere classified | |
| disaccharide | E73.9 | Lactose intolerance, unspecified | |
| fat | K90.49 | Malabsorption due to intolerance, not elsewhere classified | |
| galactose | E74.20 | Disorders of galactose metabolism, unspecified | |
| glucose | E74.39 | Other disorders of intestinal carbohydrate absorption | |
| intestinal | K90.9 | Intestinal malabsorption, unspecified | |
| isomaltose | E74.31 | Sucrase-isomaltase deficiency | |
| lactose | E73.9 | Lactose intolerance, unspecified | |
| methionine | E72.19 | Other disorders of sulfur-bearing amino-acid metabolism | |
| monosaccharide | E74.39 | Other disorders of intestinal carbohydrate absorption | |
| postgastrectomy | K91.2 | Postsurgical malabsorption, not elsewhere classified | |
| postsurgical | K91.2 | Postsurgical malabsorption, not elsewhere classified | |
| protein | K90.49 | Malabsorption due to intolerance, not elsewhere classified | |
| starch | K90.49 | Malabsorption due to intolerance, not elsewhere classified | |
| sucrose | E74.39 | Other disorders of intestinal carbohydrate absorption | |
| syndrome | K90.9 | Intestinal malabsorption, unspecified |
Malabsorption intestinal
| specified NEC | K90.89 | Other intestinal malabsorption |
Malabsorption syndrome
| postsurgical | K91.2 | Postsurgical malabsorption, not elsewhere classified |
Index terms and codes are reproduced from the official ICD-10-CM FY2027 release. The Alphabetic Index is a finding aid — a code must always be verified in the Tabular List before it is reported. Data sources