ICD-10 code for type 2 diabetes mellitus and what to document.
E11.9 is the code for type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications. When the note documents a complication, hyperglycemia or remission, a more specific E11 code applies.
Updated · IntelliNotes product team
ICD-10 code for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is category E11. The diabetes codes are combination codes: one code states the type of diabetes, the body system affected and the complication. E11.9, Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications, applies only when the note documents no complication. When the note documents a complication, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia or remission, report the more specific code. Add a Z79 code for long-term antidiabetic drug use.
Common E11 and Z79 codes
| Code | Official FY2026 descriptor | What the note must support |
|---|---|---|
| E11.9 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications | Type 2 diabetes with no complication documented and not documented as in remission. |
| E11.65 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia | Hyperglycemia, or diabetes described as poorly controlled, inadequately controlled or out of control. |
| E11.649 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypoglycemia without coma | Hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes, without coma. |
| E11.22 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease | Chronic kidney disease and its stage; add the stage code (N18.1–N18.6). |
| E11.21 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy | Diabetic nephropathy. |
| E11.42 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic polyneuropathy | Diabetic polyneuropathy. |
| E11.8 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus with unspecified complications | A diabetic complication whose type is not documented. |
| E11.A | Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications in remission | A clinician statement that the diabetes is in remission, with no complications. New in FY2026. |
| Z79.84 | Long term (current) use of oral hypoglycemic drugs | Current long-term use of an oral antidiabetic drug. |
| Z79.4 | Long term (current) use of insulin | Current long-term insulin use, not insulin given temporarily during an encounter. |
| Z79.85 | Long-term (current) use of injectable non-insulin antidiabetic drugs | Current long-term use of an injectable non-insulin agent. |
What the note must state
The type of diabetes
Name the type. If the type is not documented, the default is E11.- (guideline I.C.4.a.2). If the type is not documented but the patient uses insulin, E11.- is still assigned with Z79.4 (I.C.4.a.3).
Each complication, and its link to the diabetes
Assign as many E11 codes as needed to describe every complication (I.C.4.a). Conditions listed under “with” in the Alphabetic Index, such as chronic kidney disease, are presumed to be related to the diabetes unless the note clearly says they are not (I.A.15). For conditions that the classification does not link, the note must state the link. For diabetic chronic kidney disease, document the stage so it can be coded with N18.1–N18.6.
Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, in words
In the Alphabetic Index, diabetes described as “poorly controlled,” “inadequately controlled” or “out of control” leads to type 2 diabetes with hyperglycemia (E11.65). “Uncontrolled” leads to hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia depending on what it means, so say which one. A laboratory value alone does not make the statement; the clinician’s diagnostic statement does (I.A.19).
Remission
E11.A is assigned when the clinician documents that type 2 diabetes is in remission (I.C.4.a.1(b)). “Resolved” is not the same as remission. If the note is unclear, the clinician should be queried.
Long-term drug therapy
Category E11 instructs you to use an additional code for long-term drug therapy: Z79.4 for insulin, Z79.84 for oral hypoglycemic drugs and Z79.85 for injectable non-insulin antidiabetic drugs. Use two codes when the patient is treated with two of these drug types. Z79.4 is not assigned for insulin given temporarily to bring blood sugar under control during an encounter (I.C.4.a.3).
Enough detail for the most specific code
Codes are reported to the highest level of specificity documented (I.B.2). Unspecified codes are for when the record does not have enough information for a more specific one (I.A.9.b, I.B.18).
Codes that are often confused
- E11.9 vs E11.65: E11.9 means no complication is documented. Hyperglycemia, or “poorly controlled” diabetes, is E11.65.
- E11.9 vs E11.22: chronic kidney disease in a patient with type 2 diabetes is presumed to be diabetic. Report E11.22 with the N18 stage code instead of E11.9 plus a separate kidney code.
- E11.9 vs E11.A: E11.9 has an Excludes1 note for diabetes without complications in remission. Use E11.A only when remission is documented.
- E11.8 vs a specific complication code: E11.8 is for a complication whose type is not documented. Naming the complication supports its own code.
Sample note drafted in IntelliNotes
This draft uses the SOAP sections that IntelliNotes generates from a selected diagnosis. Each code in the Assessment is supported by a statement elsewhere in the note: hyperglycemia described as poorly controlled, no complications identified, and long-term oral drug use.
SUBJECTIVE:
- Chief Complaint: Follow-up visit for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- History of Present Illness (HPI): Patient in their 50s with established type 2 diabetes mellitus, managed long term with an oral hypoglycemic agent. Reports increased thirst over recent weeks and missed doses on several days. Denies episodes of low blood sugar.
- Review of Systems (ROS): Positive for increased thirst. Negative for vision changes, numbness or tingling in the feet, chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Past Medical History: Type 2 diabetes mellitus. No known kidney, eye or nerve complications.
- Current Medications: Oral hypoglycemic agent (long-term use).
- Allergies: Not documented.
OBJECTIVE:
- Vital Signs: BP 126/78 mmHg, HR 74 bpm.
- Physical Examination: Alert, in no distress. Monofilament sensation intact in both feet. No foot ulcers or skin breakdown.
- Lab results: Hemoglobin A1c 8.9%, higher than the prior result. Serum creatinine and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio within reference range.
ASSESSMENT:
- Primary diagnosis: Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia, described by the clinician as poorly controlled. No diabetic kidney, eye or nerve complications identified at this visit.
- ICD-10 codes:
E11.65 - Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia
Z79.84 - Long term (current) use of oral hypoglycemic drugs
PLAN:
- Treatment plan: Continues current oral agent; adherence reviewed.
- Medications prescribed: No changes documented.
- Follow-up: Return visit scheduled to review repeat laboratory results.
- Patient education provided: Symptoms of high and low blood sugar reviewed.
- Referrals: None documented.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ICD-10 code for type 2 diabetes without complications?
E11.9, Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications. Use it when no complication is documented and the diabetes is not documented as in remission; remission without complications is E11.A.
When is E11.65 used instead of E11.9?
When the note documents hyperglycemia, or describes the diabetes as poorly controlled, inadequately controlled or out of control. The Alphabetic Index sends each of those terms to type 2 diabetes with hyperglycemia, E11.65. If the note says “uncontrolled,” it should state whether that means hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
Which Z79 code goes with a type 2 diabetes code?
Category E11 instructs you to use an additional code for long-term drug therapy: Z79.4 for insulin, Z79.84 for oral hypoglycemic drugs and Z79.85 for injectable non-insulin antidiabetic drugs. Assign two codes when two of these drug types are used. Do not assign Z79.4 when insulin is given only temporarily during an encounter.
Is there an ICD-10 code for type 2 diabetes in remission?
Yes. E11.A, Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications in remission, was added for FY2026. It requires the clinician to document that the diabetes is in remission. “Resolved” does not mean remission; if the note is unclear, the clinician should be asked.
Sources
Codes and descriptors were checked on November 10, 2026 against the FY2026 ICD-10-CM code set (effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026), including the April 1, 2026 update.
- CDC NCHS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM code descriptions (ZIP)
- CDC NCHS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and Alphabetic Index (ZIP)
- CDC NCHS: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2026 (PDF)
- CMS: April 1, 2026 ICD-10-CM code descriptions in tabular order (ZIP)
- CMS: FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines (PDF)
- CMS: ICD-10 code files and guidelines
Educational documentation guidance, not medical or coding advice. Confirm codes against the current code set and payer rules.
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