K90.89: Other intestinal malabsorption
K90.89, other intestinal malabsorption, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 3 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 6 HCPCS Level II codes, including J3420 (Injection, vitamin b-12 cyanocobalamin, up to 1000 mcg), J3425 (Injection, hydroxocobalamin, intramuscular, 10 mcg), G0105 (Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at…). The articles come from 2 Medicare contractors. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.
HCPCS Level II codes with K90.89 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J3420 | Injection, vitamin b-12 cyanocobalamin, up to 1000 mcg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J3425 | Injection, hydroxocobalamin, intramuscular, 10 mcg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| G0105 | Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| G9998 | Documentation of medical reason(s) for an interval of less than 3 years since the last colonoscopy (e.g., last colonoscopy incomplete, last colonoscopy had inadequate prep, piecemeal removal of adenomas, or sessile serrated polyps >= 20 mm in size, last colonoscopy found greater than 10 adenomas, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, or patient at high risk for colon cancer due to underlying medical history ([i.e. crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, personal or family history of colon cancer, hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes]) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G9999 | Documentation of system reason(s) for an interval of less than 3 years since the last colonoscopy (e.g., unable to locate previous colonoscopy report, patient cannot provide precise date or details from previous colonoscopy, previous colonoscopy report was incomplete) | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J0585 | Injection, onabotulinumtoxina, 1 unit | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
Medicare policy articles listing K90.89
- A57755: Billing and Coding: Vitamin B12 Injections (First Coast Service Options, Inc. (MAC - Part B); 2 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33967
- A56632: Billing and Coding: Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 3 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34005, L34454
- A56389: Billing and Coding: Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Visualization (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34434
A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.
Other K90 diagnoses (Intestinal malabsorption)
- K90.821 — Short bowel syndrome with colon in continuity
- K90.822 — Short bowel syndrome without colon in continuity
- K90.83 — Intestinal failure
- K90.0 — Celiac disease
- K90.1 — Tropical sprue
- K90.2 — Blind loop syndrome, not elsewhere classified
- K90.3 — Pancreatic steatorrhea
- K90.49 — Malabsorption due to intolerance, not elsewhere classified
- K90.9 — Intestinal malabsorption, unspecified
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover K90.89 (Other intestinal malabsorption)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 3 Medicare billing and coding articles list K90.89 as a covered diagnosis for 6 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.
Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 K90.89?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are J3420 (Injection, vitamin b-12 cyanocobalamin, up to 1000 mcg, 1 article); J3425 (Injection, hydroxocobalamin, intramuscular, 10 mcg, 1 article); G0105 (Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at…, 1 article); G9998 (Documentation of medical reason(s) for an interval of less…, 1 article); G9999 (Documentation of system reason(s) for an interval of less…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
Which Medicare policy articles list K90.89?
A57755 (Billing and Coding: Vitamin B12 Injections); A56632 (Billing and Coding: Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy); A56389 (Billing and Coding: Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Visualization).
What is ICD-10-CM code K90.89?
K90.89 is the ICD-10-CM code for other intestinal malabsorption, in category K90 (Intestinal malabsorption), chapter 11: Diseases of the digestive system.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under J3420
- Watch J3420 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for J3420
Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.
Chapter 11: Diseases of the digestive system · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup