Is ICD-10-CM code Q41 billable?

No, Q41 (Congenital absence, atresia and stenosis of small intestine) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code. It must be coded to a more specific subcategory before it can be used for reimbursement.

What chapter does ICD-10-CM code Q41 belong to?

Q41 belongs to Chapter 17 of the ICD-10-CM tabular list: Q00–Q99 (Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities).

Q41Not billable, use a more specific code below

Congenital absence, atresia and stenosis of small intestine

In Other congenital malformations of the digestive system (Q38-Q45), chapter 17: Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities

5 billable codes under Q41: all are a CC; all map to HCC 78 (Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation).A CC or MCC (major CC) is a secondary diagnosis that raises the MS-DRG payment. An HCC counts toward a Medicare Advantage patient's risk score.

Instructional notes

Includes: conditions that are coded here

congenital obstruction, occlusion or stricture of small intestine or intestine NOS

Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code

cystic fibrosis with intestinal manifestation (E84.11)
meconium ileus NOS (without cystic fibrosis) (P76.0)

Official coding guidelines

From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.

Assign Q00-QA1 codes for documented congenital anomalies or genetic disorders at any age, coding non-inherent manifestations separately and sequencing Z38 first on the birth admission.

Read Section I.C.17 (page 74)

All codes under Q41

Q41 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.

Q41 MS-DRGs

As the principal diagnosis, all 5 billable codes under Q41 group to MS-DRG 393, 394, or 395 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.

Other codes that refer to Q41

Notes on these codes point to Q41.

K56 Excludes1: congenital stricture or stenosis of intestine (Q41-Q42)

About the condition

Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.

Birth Defects

A birth defect is a problem that happens while a baby is developing in the mother's body. Most birth defects happen during the first 3 months of pregnancy. One out of every 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect.

Small Intestine Disorders

Your small intestine is the longest part of your digestive system - about twenty feet long! It connects your stomach to your large intestine (or colon) and folds many times to fit inside your abdomen. Your small intestine does most of the digesting of the foods you eat. It has three areas called the duodenum, the ileum, and the jejunum.

Code history

Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.