Skip to content
Dx

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

C02.9Malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecified

✓ Billable / specific

C02.9 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecified. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About C02.9

C02.9 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecified. It belongs to category C02 (malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue), block C00-C14 (malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx) and chapter 2 (neoplasms). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within C02, choose C02.9 (tongue, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: dorsal surface of tongue (C02.0), border of tongue (C02.1), ventral surface of tongue (C02.2), anterior two-thirds of tongue, part unspecified (C02.3), lingual tonsil (C02.4) and overlapping sites of tongue (C02.8).

Use an additional code to identify: alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-), history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891), tobacco dependence (F17.-) and tobacco use (Z72.0).

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 011 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC, relative weight 5.6154), DRG 012 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC, relative weight 4.381), DRG 013 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC, relative weight 2.7307), DRG 146 (Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Malignancy with MCC, relative weight 2.1329), DRG 147 (Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Malignancy with CC, relative weight 1.3055) and DRG 148 (Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Malignancy without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.8008), in Pre-MDC and MDC 03 (Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 141.9 (malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecified).

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to C02.9.

› From C02 Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue
Use additional code
  • code to identify:
  • alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 2: Neoplasms.

Table of Drugs & Neoplasms entries

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 141.9Malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecifiedexact

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about C02.9

Is C02.9 billable?

Yes. C02.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can C02.9 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict C02.9 as a principal diagnosis.

Is C02.9 a CC or MCC?

No. C02.9 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does C02.9 group to?

C02.9 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 011 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC), MS-DRG 012 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC), MS-DRG 013 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC), MS-DRG 146 (Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Malignancy with MCC), MS-DRG 147 (Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Malignancy with CC) and MS-DRG 148 (Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Malignancy without CC/MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for C02.9?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map C02.9 to ICD-9-CM 141.9.