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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

K02.53Dental caries on pit and fissure surface penetrating into pulp

✓ Billable / specific

K02.53 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for dental caries on pit and fissure surface penetrating into pulp. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.Short description: Dental caries on pit and fissure surface penetrat into pulp

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About K02.53

K02.53 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for dental caries on pit and fissure surface penetrating into pulp. It belongs to category K02 (dental caries), block K00-K14 (diseases of oral cavity and salivary glands) and chapter 11 (diseases of the digestive system). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within K02.5 (dental caries on pit and fissure surface), K02.53 is specifically for dental caries on pit and fissure surface penetrating into pulp. Related codes cover limited to enamel (K02.51) and penetrating into dentin (K02.52).

It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 011 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC, relative weight 5.6154), DRG 012 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC, relative weight 4.381), DRG 013 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC, relative weight 2.7307), DRG 157 (Dental and Oral Diseases with MCC, relative weight 1.809), DRG 158 (Dental and Oral Diseases with CC, relative weight 0.9366) and DRG 159 (Dental and Oral Diseases without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.6893), in Pre-MDC and MDC 03 (Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 521.03 (dental caries extending into pulp) and 521.06 (dental caries pit and fissure).

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to K02.53.

› From K02 Dental caries
Includes
  • caries of dentine
  • dental cavities
  • early childhood caries
  • pre-eruptive caries
  • recurrent caries (dentino enamel junction) (enamel) (to the pulp)
  • tooth decay

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 11: Diseases of the digestive system.

Alphabetic index entries

4 entries

Terms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to K02.53.

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 521.03Dental caries extending into pulpapproximate, combination
  • 521.06Dental caries pit and fissureapproximate, combination

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about K02.53

Is K02.53 billable?

Yes. K02.53 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can K02.53 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict K02.53 as a principal diagnosis.

Is K02.53 a CC or MCC?

No. K02.53 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does K02.53 group to?

K02.53 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 011 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC), MS-DRG 012 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC), MS-DRG 013 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC), MS-DRG 157 (Dental and Oral Diseases with MCC), MS-DRG 158 (Dental and Oral Diseases with CC) and MS-DRG 159 (Dental and Oral Diseases without CC/MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for K02.53?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map K02.53 to ICD-9-CM 521.03 and 521.06.