E11.9 – Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications

The ICD-10-CM code E11.9 is used to diagnose a patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus without complications. Learn what this code entails, from its clinical information, if it’s billable or not, FAQs, and even related ICD-10 codes by reading this short guide.

By Harriet Murray on Feb 29, 2024.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

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E11.9  – Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications

E11.9 Diagnosis Code: Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications

The E11.9 is an ICD code that’s included in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), and it is used to designate “Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications.”

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a type of diabetes that normally occurs in middle-aged people or those in their late adulthood. The difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes lies in the pancreas. For Type 1, the pancreas don’t make insulin. For Type 2, the pancreas still makes insulin, but nowhere near as much as it normally does. Moreverover, people with Type 2 diabetes become resistant to the effects of insulin.

This ICD-10 code is used to diagnose people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, but the patient is not dealing with any complications that normally arise from this type of condition, such as heart diseases, blood vessel diseases, nerve damage, eye damage, and skin conditions.

Is the E11.9 billable?

Yes, the E11.9 ICD-10 code is billable and can be used to designate a patient for reimbursement purposes.

E11.9 clinical information:

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a type of diabetes that is commonly found in adult patients who are middle-aged or are in their late adulthood. A patient’s pancreas produces less insulin for the body, and the body builds up a resistance to the effects of insulin. 

Patients who have Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus have the following symptoms:

  • They are unusually hungry or thirsty
  • The excessively urinate
  • They lose significant weight in a short span of time
  • They become more prone to infections
  • They have high blood glucose levels
  • They have hyperosmolar syndrome (which is caused by high blood glucose levels)

Patients suspected of having Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus will undergo certain tests to confirm that they have it, like Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) and OGTT Oral Glucose Tolerance (OGTT) tests.

In cases where the patient has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus but is not currently experiencing any associated complications, the E11.9 ICD-10 code will be used.. Do note that this diagnosis code is classified as a Questionable Admission Code. It is normally not a justifiable code to have a patient admitted into a hospital for acute care if it is used as a principal diagnosis. They aren’t dealing with complications, after all.

Treatments for this will include a change in diet. The patient’s meals should have no trans fats, they should be low in saturated fats and cholesterol, and low in total calories. Medicine like Metformin is also commonly prescribed for patients with Type 2 Diabetes. 

Insulin is prescribed as the body's pancreas is unable to produce an adequate amount of insulin to counter the insulin resistance that has developed. This prescription helps combat the accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream.

E11.9 synonyms include:

  • Brittle diabetes mellitus
  • Brittle type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Dermopathy due to type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Diabetes mellitus in remission
  • Diabetes mellitus type 2 without retinopathy
  • Diabetes mellitus without complication
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus controlled by diet
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus in nonobese
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus well controlled
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complication

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for Type 2 Diabetes:

  • E11 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • E11.0 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperosmolarity
  • E11.1 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis
  • E11.2 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with kidney complications
  • E11.21 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy
  • E11.22 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease
  • E11.3 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with ophthalmic complications
  • E11.31 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with unspecified diabetic retinopathy
  • E11.32 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy
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Commonly asked questions

Is the E11.9 a billable ICD-10 code?

Yes, this ICD-10 code is billable.

Why is the E11.9 a questionable ICD-10 code? Is it not valid?

The E11.9 is a Questionable Admission Code. It means that this ICD-10 code is not enough to justify why a patient should be admitted for acute care in a hospital, especially if used as a principal diagnosis. The reason for this is that the patient is not dealing with any complications that normally arise from Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

What are the common treatments for S13.4?

Insulin, metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, proper weight loss, diet adjustments.

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