E46 Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition

The ICD-10-CM code for Unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition is E46 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter

4: Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E89)

Section

E40-E46: Malnutrition (E40-E46)

Category E46

1 code (1 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to E46:

• Malnutrition
• Calorie deficiency or malnutrition
• Deficiency, deficient › protein
• Cataract (cortical) (immature) (incipient) › malnutrition-dehydration
• Malnutrition › protein
• Malnutrition › protein › energy
• Malnutrition › protein › calorie
• Cataract (cortical) (immature) (incipient) › in (due to) › malnutrition-dehydration

Inclusion Terms

• Malnutrition NOS
• Protein-calorie imbalance NOS

U.S. Hospital Utilization

• An estimated 324,260 U.S. inpatient stays in 2023 included E46 among the documented diagnoses.
• 1,570 stays listed it as the principal diagnosis.

Source: National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2016–2023. National survey-weighted estimates.

Official Coding Guidelines

Diabetes mellitus (TOC entry)

a. Diabetes mellitus ................................................................................................................... 39

Obesity (TOC entry)

b. Obesity .................................................................................................................................. 42

Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026

References

• CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Code Set and Guidelines, FY2026
• CDC/NCHS — ICD-10-CM Files and Browser Tool
• AHRQ — HCUP National Inpatient Sample, Frequencies by Diagnosis Code (2016–2023)