ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code
Z68.18Body mass index [BMI] 18.4 or less, adult
Z68.18 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for body mass index [bmi] 18.4 or less, adult. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.
Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS, effective October 1, 2026. Updated September 29, 2026. About our data
About Z68.18
Z68.18 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for body mass index [BMI] 18.4 or less, adult. It belongs to category Z68 (body mass index [BMI]), block Z68 (body mass index [BMI]) and chapter 21 (factors influencing health status and contact with health services). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Within Z68.1 (body mass index [BMI] 19.9 or less, adult), Z68.18 is specifically for body mass index [BMI] 18.4 or less, adult. Related codes cover 18.5-19.9, adult (Z68.19).
As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the "with CC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 951 (Other Factors Influencing Health Status, relative weight 0.5577), in MDC 23 (Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
The Medicare Code Editor expects this diagnosis only for patients age 15 through 124.
It is not acceptable as the principal diagnosis for an inpatient stay; it may be reported as a secondary diagnosis.
It is exempt from present-on-admission (POA) reporting, so no POA indicator is required.
It was added in FY2027, effective October 1, 2026.
Notes that apply from higher levels
Instructions written at a parent level also apply to Z68.18.
› From Z68 Body mass index [BMI]
- BMI adult codes are for use for persons 20 years of age or older
- BMI pediatric codes are for use for persons 2-19 years of age.
- These percentiles are based on the growth charts published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services.
Alphabetic index entries
1 entriesTerms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to Z68.18.
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.
MDC 23 · Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services
Code history
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- 2027
- FY2027 (effective 10/1/2026): Added
Common questions about Z68.18
Is Z68.18 billable?
- Yes. Z68.18 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can Z68.18 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- No. It is not acceptable as the principal diagnosis for an inpatient stay; it may be reported as a secondary diagnosis.
Is Z68.18 a CC or MCC?
- Z68.18 is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.
What DRG does Z68.18 group to?
- Z68.18 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 951 (Other Factors Influencing Health Status). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.
Did Z68.18 change for 2027?
- Yes. For FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) it was added to the code set.