ICD-10 code for literacy problem

The ICD-10-CM code for literacy problem is Z55.9 (Problems related to education and literacy, unspecified). The official index lists 2 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on Z55.9.

Within Z55, choose Z55.9 (unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: Illiteracy and low-level literacy (Z55.0), Schooling unavailable and unattainable (Z55.1), failed school examinations (Z55.2), underachievement in school (Z55.3), educational maladjustment and discord with teachers and classmates (Z55.4), less than a high school diploma (Z55.5), problems related to health literacy (Z55.6) and other problems related to education and literacy (Z55.8).

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 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.