Built around HCC coder workflows

ICD-10-CM and HCC encoder, current to CMS and ICD-10. Updated in days, not quarters.

Search a code and keep HCC mapping, RAF values, V24 and V28 model context, MEAT support, and source details in one coder-facing encoder.

J44.9 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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Encoder

E11.65 Search

E11.65 Billable

V28

HCC 38

V24

HCC 18

RAF

0.166

ehr-chart · coder view

J44.9

J44.9Billable

V28HCC 280

RAF0.319

HCC Buddy Code Card

FY2026 · APR UPDATE

J44.9 Billable

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified

CMS-HCC V28

HCC 280

RAF 0.319

CMS-HCC V24

HCC 111

RAF 0.335

RxHCC

229

Rx model

Risk-adjustment coding shouldn't mean ten browser tabs.

Stop stitching the answer together across references. Buddy keeps it in one screen.

The old way

ICD-10 codebook, flipping pages

HCC crosswalk spreadsheet

Separate V24 and V28 RAF tables

MEAT guidelines PDF

NPI registry, in another tab

Drug reference, in yet another

The HCC Buddy way

One encoder. Code + HCC + RAF + MEAT + provider + drug context, in one screen.

Billable status and code path, instantly

V24 and V28 RAF side by side

Current to the active CMS model year

Encoder

Search ICD-10-CM and see HCC impact immediately.

Search a code like E11.65 and Buddy points you to billable status, V24, V28, RAF, and the full code path in one card.

E11.65 searchHCC valuesCode path

Explore the Encoder →

app.hccbuddy.com/encoder

E11.65 Billable

Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia

CMS-HCC V28

HCC 38

CMS-HCC V24

HCC 18

RAF

0.166

CODE PATH E11›E11.6›E11.65

Ask Buddy

Ask the coding question without leaving the encoder.

Buddy answers code-aware questions with HCC context, documentation focus, and the next review step.

Code-awareMEAT promptsNext step

Explore Ask Buddy →

app.hccbuddy.com/ask

Does E11.65 map for V28, and what should I check?

Buddy

Maps to CMS-HCC V28 HCC 38.

Check active diabetes status and treatment.

Look for MEAT in assessment and plan.

Code Book

Browse the ICD-10-CM tabular list the way coders read it.

Walk the chapter, category, and billable-code path with HCC mapping shown inline, so you confirm the right code without leaving the page.

Tabular listCode pathInline HCC

Explore the Code Book →

app.hccbuddy.com/codebook

J44 · Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chapter Diseases of the respiratory system (J00–J99)

J44 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

J44.0 with (acute) lower respiratory infection

J44.1 with (acute) exacerbation

J44.9 COPD, unspecified Billable HCC 280

Evidence Support

Separate mapped diagnoses from supported diagnoses.

Run a deidentified evidence check and see MEAT support, gaps, and strength of support before audit risk grows.

MEATSOEGaps

Explore Evidence Support →

app.hccbuddy.com/evidence

De-identified note

Assessment referenced. A1c ordered. Medication plan discussed and continued.

Check Evidence

Monitor

Pending

Assess

Pending

Treat

Pending

Support strength · documentation support · not coding advice

Your coding assistant

Meet Ask Buddy — your personal HCC coding assistant

Ask Buddy answers code-aware questions with MEAT guidance and V28 and V24 context, right in your workflow. It is built for deidentified coding questions and never stores PHI.

Code-aware answers tied to the code you are reviewing

MEAT guidance and the next documentation step

Deidentified by design — never stores, logs, or transmits PHI

Try Ask Buddy

Included with Pro

Ask Buddy DEIDENTIFIED

Does J44.9 still map under V28, and what should I confirm?

Yes — J44.9 maps to CMS-HCC V28 HCC 280, RAF 0.319.

Confirm COPD is documented as current and being managed.

Look for MEAT in the assessment and plan.

Current to CMS

Current to CMS and ICD-10, built for the coder's desk.

When CMS updates the HCC model (V28/V24, RAF weights) or the annual ICD-10-CM code set changes each October, we rebuild within days and keep the source period visible on the code card.

Reviewed by Jess P., CPC

HCC mappings, RAF tables, and MEAT patterns are reviewed by a Certified Professional Coder for CMS-HCC V28 alignment.

Source context

Every code shows the CMS model period and source so you can trust the value.

Simple, transparent pricing

Priced for the coder, not the demo.

No quote wall. See the price, start the trial.

Questions? We have answers.

HCC stands for Hierarchical Condition Category. CMS uses HCC risk adjustment to estimate expected medical cost for Medicare Advantage members based on the diagnoses a provider reports during the year (CMS Risk Adjustment program: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-plans/medicareadvtgspecratestats/risk-adjustors).

V28 is the CMS-HCC model that began phasing in for payment year 2024 and reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026. Compared to V24, V28 expands from 86 to 115 payment HCCs, removes some lower-acuity diagnosis groups, and updates RAF coefficients to reflect ICD-10-CM clinical revisions. Full details are in the CMS 2024 Advance Notice (https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/medicare-advantage-rates-statistics/announcements-and-documents).

Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) is the numeric coefficient CMS publishes for each payment HCC. The sum of a member's HCC coefficients (plus demographic factors) drives the per-member-per-month payment a Medicare Advantage plan receives. HCC Buddy shows the V28 and V24 RAF coefficients beside each ICD-10 code so coders see risk-adjustment impact without leaving the code card. Source coefficients: CMS RA Model Output (https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-plans/medicareadvtgspecratestats/risk-adjustors).

Evidence Checker reviews deidentified chart wording against MEAT criteria (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, Treat) and flags documentation gaps, conflicting language, and strength-of-evidence concerns so coders can separate diagnoses that simply have an ICD-10 mapping from diagnoses that are actually supported for risk adjustment under CMS audit standards.

The FY2026 ICD-10-CM tabular list contains roughly 74,000 codes (CMS FY2026 release: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes), of which about 7,900 map to a CMS-HCC V28 payment category. HCC Buddy shows the HCC value, model version, and source period for each billable code.

Yes. Start Pro and get 7 days to try the full workflow, no card required. Pro is $19.99/month for founding members during the founding window, then $29.99/month after it closes. The annual plan is $199.99/year.

No. HCC Buddy is built for deidentified coding questions, ICD-10-CM codes, and clinical concepts. Do not paste member identifiers, dates of birth, full chart notes, or other patient identifiers into Ask Buddy.