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E88.A ICD-10-CM Code: Wasting disease (syndrome) due to underlying condition

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Coding at a Glance

Tabular directives
1 inclusion term · 8 Excludes1 · 2 Excludes2 · 1 use-additional code · 1 code-first instruction
Risk adjustment
CMS-HCC V22 category 21

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v43, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 642 — INBORN AND OTHER DISORDERS OF METABOLISM (MDC 10)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for E88.A in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2026Effective: October 1, 2025

Notes without a marker are published on E88.A itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Inclusion Terms

Alternative terms the tabular list files under this code.

  • Cachexia due to underlying condition

Excludes1 — Not Coded Here

Conditions generally not reported together with this code (Excludes1) -- an error unless the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

Code First

Underlying conditions that must be sequenced before this code.

  • underlying condition

Use Additional Code

Supplementary codes the tabular list directs you to add.

  • codes for associated conditions

Source: inherited from E88

Coder workflow for E88.A

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code E88.A

  1. E88.A’s title joins a condition with an associated condition or complication. Confirm each component is documented. Where the classification presumes the link through the “with” convention, only a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it. A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; a required second code for the stage, type or manifestation is still reported when the notes ask for it (Guidelines I.B.9, I.A.15).

    Guide: Combination codes →

  2. Check the Excludes1 note: if the documentation supports a condition named there, do not simply proceed with E88.A. Excludes1 conditions are not reported together with this code unless the record shows they are unrelated (Guidelines I.A.12.a).

    See the official tabular notes

Choose the right path

  1. Does the documentation support a condition named in E88.A’s Excludes1 note?
    Yes → Do not simply proceed: review the excluded code. Both are reported only when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated.
    No → Continue.

    ReviewR64, E41, C96.6, E34.5, E25.0, D55

  2. Is the underlying (etiologic) condition the Code First note names documented?
    Yes → Sequence the underlying condition first, then E88.A.
    No → Continue; do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

Consider E88.A. Then work the Use Additional Code note, and confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement
Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).
The associated condition or complication
Whether the associated condition the title names is documented; the “with” convention presumes some links, and a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it (Guidelines I.A.15).
The underlying (etiologic) condition
Named in the Code First note; sequenced before this code when documented (Guidelines I.A.13).
The conditions the Use Additional Code note names
Reported with this code when documented; a conditional instruction (“if applicable”, “if known”) applies only when the record supports it.

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes1 — check before selecting E88.A(8 notes)

    Coding workflow: If the documentation supports a condition named in this note, do not simply proceed with E88.A: the two are not reported together. The one exception is when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

    CompareR64, E41, C96.6, E34.5, E25.0, D55

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.a

  • Excludes2 — not part of E88.A(2 notes)

    Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in E88.A. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

    CompareR62.51, R62.7, Q79.6

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

  • Code First — sequencing check(1 note)

    Coding workflow: Check whether the underlying or etiologic condition the note names is documented. When it is, sequence it before E88.A. Do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.13

  • Use Additional Code — after identifying E88.A(1 note)

    Coding workflow: Check whether the documentation supports the additional code(s) the note names, and report them with E88.A when it does. Where the instruction is conditional (“if applicable”, “if known”), it applies only when the record documents the condition.

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.13

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Documentation: Both the condition E88.A describes and a condition named in its Excludes1 note are documented for the same encounter.

Coding question: Can both codes be reported?

Path: Review the Excludes1 note and the excluded code, and look for a provider statement on whether the two conditions are related.

Reason: Excludes1 means the two are not coded together; the exception is when the record shows the conditions are unrelated to each other (Guidelines I.A.12.a).

ReviewR64, E41, C96.6, E34.5, E25.0, D55

Documentation: Only one of the components this code’s title joins is documented.

Coding question: Is E88.A supported?

Path: Review the code for the documented component on its own.

Reason: A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; otherwise the documented component takes its own code (Guidelines I.B.9).

Documentation: The underlying condition the Code First note names is documented alongside this condition.

Coding question: How are the two sequenced?

Path: Review the Code First note.

Reason: The underlying condition is sequenced first and the manifestation follows (Guidelines I.A.13).

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Code Overview

Wasting disease (syndrome) due to underlying condition is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (E88.A).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Indexed Clinical Terms (7)

Official source data — entries quoted as published, in the Index’s own lookup phrasing

Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code. These are alphabetic-index entries shown as the Index writes them — lookup phrasing, not necessarily the wording of a final diagnosis.

Decision Points

The directives on this code's own record, as a pre-claim checklist.

  1. Sequencing: 1 Code First instruction — the underlying condition is sequenced before this code when present. See the Code First notes
  2. 1 Use Additional Code instruction — report the named additional code(s) when the documentation supports them. See the Use Additional Code notes
  3. 8 Excludes1 entries — codes named there are generally not reported together with this code (Guidelines I.A.12.a). See the Excludes1 notes
  4. 2 Excludes2 entries — those conditions are not part of this code and may be reported additionally when documented. See the Excludes2 notes

Checklist rows are derived from this code's own official directives; the wording of each check is MedCoder editorial. The official notes themselves are in the sections each row links to.

Verify Before Coding

  • Principal-diagnosis restriction. The Medicare Code Editor lists this code as unacceptable as a principal diagnosis: it describes a circumstance influencing health status rather than a current illness or injury being treated. It is valid as a secondary diagnosis.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder structured relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name E88.A or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 2 Excludes1 notes across 2 chapters: P59 — Neonatal jaundice from other and unspecified causes (via E88.-), R64 — Cachexia.

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

Referenced by 4 Excludes2 notes across 2 chapters: G11 — Hereditary ataxia (via E88.-), G71 — Primary disorders of muscles (via E88.-), N25.0 — Renal osteodystrophy (via E88.-), N25.81 — Secondary hyperparathyroidism of renal origin (via E88.-).

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

Referenced by 2 Code First instructions across 2 chapters: G63 — Polyneuropathy in diseases classified elsewhere (via E88.-), H42 — Glaucoma in diseases classified elsewhere (via E88.-).

Each of these codes carries a Code First note naming this condition — when that code is reported, THIS code is sequenced first, ahead of it.

Referenced by 8 Use Additional Code instructions across 4 chapters: A15 — Respiratory tuberculosis, A15-A19 — Tuberculosis (A15-A19), A17 — Tuberculosis of nervous system, A18 — Tuberculosis of other organs, A19 — Miliary tuberculosis, E23.0 — Hypopituitarism, J65 — Pneumoconiosis associated with tuberculosis, N18 — Chronic kidney disease (CKD).

These codes instruct coders to additionally report this code when it applies.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2026)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2026 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 1 MS-DRG: DRG 642 (MDC 10).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):END016 — Other specified and unspecified nutritional and metabolic disorders (default); SYM016 — Other general signs and symptoms.

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Principal diagnosis restriction (Medicare Code Editor)

Not acceptable as a principal diagnosis on an inpatient claim.

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical categories (Other specified and unspecified nutritional and metabolic disorders, Other general signs and symptoms).

E88.43 — Disorders of mitochondrial tRNA synthetases, E88.49 — Other mitochondrial metabolism disorders, E88.81 — Metabolic syndrome and other insulin resistance, E88.810 — Metabolic syndrome, E88.811 — Insulin resistance syndrome, Type A, E88.818 — Other insulin resistance, E88.819 — Insulin resistance, unspecified, E88.82 — Obesity due to disruption of MC4R pathway, E88.89 — Other specified metabolic disorders, E88.9 — Metabolic disorder, unspecified, P09.1 — Abnormal findings on neonatal screening for inborn errors of metabolism, R25.2 — Cramp and spasm, R29.3 — Abnormal posture, R29.4 — Clicking hip, R29.6 — Repeated falls, R29.890 — Loss of height, R29.891 — Ocular torticollis, R29.898 — Other symptoms and signs involving the musculoskeletal system, R29.91 — Unspecified symptoms and signs involving the musculoskeletal system, R49.0 — Dysphonia, +316 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main terms “Cachexia”, “Wasting”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

D73.0 — Hyposplenism (splenica), E03.4 — Atrophy of thyroid (acquired) (strumipriva), E23.0 — Hypopituitarism (pituitary), E41 — Nutritional marasmus (extreme, with marasmus), E43 — Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition (extreme), E86.0 — Dehydration (dehydration), F48.8 — Other specified nonpsychotic mental disorders (nervous), N28.9 — Disorder of kidney and ureter, unspecified (renal), R54 — Age-related physical debility (senile), R64 — Cachexia

Lab tests where this diagnosis supports Medicare coverage (NCD)

Medicare's National Coverage Determination (NCD) program lists this diagnosis as medical justification for these lab tests.

Lipid Panel

Contextual Map

Every relationship of E88.A in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run E88.A with these 19 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Excludes1

  • E41 — Nutritional marasmus[Excludes1]: “nutritional marasmus (E41)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
  • R64 — Cachexia[Excludes1]: “cachexia NOS (R64)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Excludes2

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

Referenced by Code First instructions

Referenced by Use Additional Code instructions

  • A15 — Respiratory tuberculosis[Use Additional Code]: “code, if applicable, for associated cachexia (E88.A)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
  • A15-A19 — Tuberculosis (A15-A19)[Use Additional Code]: “code, if applicable, for associated cachexia (E88.A)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
  • A17 — Tuberculosis of nervous system[Use Additional Code]: “code, if applicable, for associated cachexia (E88.A)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
  • A18 — Tuberculosis of other organs[Use Additional Code]: “code, if applicable, for associated cachexia (E88.A)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
  • A19 — Miliary tuberculosis[Use Additional Code]: “code, if applicable, for associated cachexia (E88.A)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
  • E23.0 — Hypopituitarism[Use Additional Code]: “code, if applicable, for associated cachexia (E88.A)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
  • J65 — Pneumoconiosis associated with tuberculosis[Use Additional Code]: “code, if applicable, for associated cachexia (E88.A)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
  • N18 — Chronic kidney disease (CKD)[Use Additional Code]: “associated cachexia (E88.A)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Clinical classification (CCSR)

MS-DRG Grouper

MDC crossing

  • MDC 10 — Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases and Disorders[MDC crossing]: “Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases and Disorders — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 5,008 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026

Index entries

  • Cachexia, due to, malnutrition[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • Cachexia, due to, underlying condition[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • Disease, diseased, wasting NEC[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • Disease, diseased, wasting NEC, due to, underlying condition[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • Syndrome, wastingdue to underlying condition (syndrome)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • Wasting, disease (syndrome)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • Wasting, disease (syndrome), due to, underlying condition[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026

Nearest codes (29)

Change history

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2026 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2025 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v43.1 (April 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Inpatient payment groups Official source data
CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v43 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder structured relationship
Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder explanation
Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder structured relationship · MedCoder explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "E88.A — Wasting disease (syndrome) due to underlying condition." ICD-10-CM FY2026. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/e88.a-wasting-disease-syndrome-due-to-underlying-condition

Change history

  • FY2024 — October 1, 2023
    Added to the code set
    Wasting disease (syndrome) due to underlying condition
    FY2024 changes

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to E88.A in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the E88 family