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U09.9 ICD-10-CM Code: Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified

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

Coding at a Glance

Tabular directives
1 inclusion term · 7 code-first instructions

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 951 — OTHER FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH STATUS (MDC 23)

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 U09.9 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

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

Inclusion Terms

Alternative terms the tabular list files under this code.

  • Post-acute sequela of COVID-19

Code First

Underlying conditions that must be sequenced before this code.

  • the specific condition related to COVID-19 if known, such as:
  • chronic respiratory failure (J96.1-)
  • loss of smell (R43.8)
  • loss of taste (R43.8)
  • multisystem inflammatory syndrome (M35.81)
  • pulmonary embolism (I26.-)
  • pulmonary fibrosis (J84.10)

Coder workflow for U09.9

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

Before you code U09.9

  1. Unspecified does not mean incorrect. When the record gives no greater specificity, U09.9 may be the appropriate code. Check the record for detail that supports a more specific sibling. An unspecified code is for records that do not provide the detail a more specific code needs; a query, not an assumption, is the route to specificity (Guidelines I.A.9.b, I.B.18).

    See the relationships section · Guide: Other vs unspecified (NEC vs NOS) →

Choose the right path

  1. Does the record document the detail a more specific sibling code needs?
    Yes → Review the specific siblings in this subcategory.
    No → Continue — U09.9 is appropriate when the documentation goes no further.
  2. Is the underlying (etiologic) condition the Code First note names documented?
    Yes → Sequence the underlying condition first, then U09.9.
    No → Continue; do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

    ReviewJ96.1, R43.8, M35.81, I26, J84.10

Consider U09.9. Then 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 underlying (etiologic) condition
Named in the Code First note; sequenced before this code when documented (Guidelines I.A.13).
Any detail beyond this code’s title
What the record states that a more specific sibling code would capture — or its absence, which itself supports the unspecified code.

Official instructions as workflow

  • Code First — sequencing check(7 notes)

    Coding workflow: Check whether the underlying or etiologic condition the note names is documented. When it is, sequence it before U09.9. Do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

    ReviewJ96.1, R43.8, M35.81, I26, J84.10

    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: The provider documents the condition in the terms of this code’s title and records no further detail.

Coding question: Is a more specific sibling code supportable?

Path: Review the subcategory for a sibling that names the missing detail.

Reason: A more specific code needs documentation of the distinguishing element; without it the unspecified code is appropriate, and a provider query is the route to specificity (Guidelines I.A.9.b, I.B.18).

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).

ReviewJ96.1, R43.8, M35.81, I26, J84.10

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

Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (U09.9).

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 (10)

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.

Official Coding Guidelines

Official source data — quoted verbatim from the CMS/NCHS Official Guidelines

Official source data — quoted verbatim from the CMS/NCHS Official Guidelines

Verbatim excerpts from the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (CMS/NCHS) that govern this code.

Chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99), U07.1, U09.9 a. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections 1) Code only confirmed cases

If an individual with a history of COVID-19 develops MIS, assign codes M35.81, Multisystem inflammatory syndrome, and U09.9, Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified.

Chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99), U07.1, U09.9 a. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections 1) Code only confirmed cases

(m) Post COVID-19 Condition For sequela of COVID-19, or associated symptoms or conditions that develop following a previous COVID-19 infection, assign a code(s) for the specific symptom(s) or condition(s) related to the previous COVID-19 infection, if known, and code U09.9, Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified.

Chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99), U07.1, U09.9 a. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections 1) Code only confirmed cases

Code U09.9 should not be assigned for manifestations of an active (current) COVID-19 infection.

Chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99), U07.1, U09.9 a. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections 1) Code only confirmed cases

If a patient has a condition(s) associated with a previous COVID-19 infection and develops a new active (current) COVID-19 infection, code U09.9 may be assigned in conjunction with code U07.1, COVID-19, to identify that the patient also has a condition(s) associated with a previous COVID-19 infection. Code(s) for the specific condition(s) associated with the previous COVID-19 infection and code(s) for manifestation(s) of the new active (current) COVID-19 infection should also be assigned.

Chapter 22: Codes for Special Purposes (U00-U85)

U07.0 Vaping- related disorder (see Section I.C.10.e., Vaping-related disorders) U07.1 COVID-19 (see Section I.C.1.g.1., COVID-19 infection) U09.9 Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified (see Section I.C.1.g.1.m.)

Verify Before Coding

  • No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

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

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 951 (MDC 23).

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

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):INF012 — COVID-19 (default).

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

Related Codes

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (COVID-19).

J12.82 — Pneumonia due to coronavirus disease 2019, U07.1 — COVID-19

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main terms “COVID-19”, “Sequelae”, “Long”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

I69.93 — Monoplegia of upper limb following unspecified cerebrovascular disease (disease, cerebrovascular, monoplegia, upper limb), I69.94 — Monoplegia of lower limb following unspecified cerebrovascular disease (disease, cerebrovascular, monoplegia, lower limb), I69.95 — Hemiplegia and hemiparesis following unspecified cerebrovascular disease (disease, cerebrovascular, hemiplegia), I69.96 — Other paralytic syndrome following unspecified cerebrovascular disease (disease, cerebrovascular, paralytic syndrome), I69.990 — Apraxia following unspecified cerebrovascular disease (disease, cerebrovascular, apraxia), I69.991 — Dysphagia following unspecified cerebrovascular disease (disease, cerebrovascular, dysphagia), I69.992 — Facial weakness following unspecified cerebrovascular disease (disease, cerebrovascular, facial droop), I69.993 — Ataxia following unspecified cerebrovascular disease (disease, cerebrovascular, ataxia), I69.998 — Other sequelae following unspecified cerebrovascular disease (disease, cerebrovascular, specified effect NEC), J12.82 — Pneumonia due to coronavirus disease 2019 (pneumonia), O63.0 — Prolonged first stage (of labor) (labor, first stage), O63.1 — Prolonged second stage (of labor) (labor, second stage), O63.9 — Long labor, unspecified (labor), O94 — Sequelae of complication of pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (pregnancy), U07.1 — COVID-19, Z11.52 — Encounter for screening for COVID-19 (screening), Z20.822 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to COVID-19 (contact), Z28.310 — Unvaccinated for COVID-19 (unvaccinated), Z28.311 — Partially vaccinated for COVID-19 (partially vaccinated), Z86.16 — Personal history of COVID-19 (history of), +108 more

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.

Blood Glucose Test, Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Contextual Map

Every relationship of U09.9 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 U09.9 with these 5 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Code First

Clinical classification (CCSR)

MS-DRG Grouper

MDC crossing

  • MDC 23 — Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services[MDC crossing]: “Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services — 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. 1,235 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026

Index entries (10)

  • Condition, post COVID-19[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • COVID-19, condition post[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • COVID-19, long (haul)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • COVID-19, sequelae (post acute)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • Long, COVID (-19)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • SARS-CoV-2, sequelae (post acute)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • Sequelae (of), COVID-19 (post acute)[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
  • and 2 more

Nearest codes

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
Coding guidelines Official source data
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (FY2026), quoted by section 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. "U09.9 — Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified." ICD-10-CM FY2026. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/u09.9-post-covid-19-condition-unspecified

Change history

  • FY2022 — October 1, 2021
    Added to the code set
    Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified
    FY2022 changes

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to U09.9 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the U09 family