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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

C43Malignant melanoma of skin

Not billable — use a more specific code

C43 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 10 more specific codes beneath it.

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 C43

C43 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant melanoma of skin. It belongs to block C43-C44 (melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin) and chapter 2 (neoplasms). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 10 subcodes must be used instead.

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: C43.0 (lip), C43.1 (canthus), C43.2 (canal), C43.3 (face), C43.4 (neck), C43.5 (trunk), C43.6 (shoulder), C43.7 (hip) and 2 more.

Don't report C43 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: melanoma in situ (D03.-).

The conditions in its Excludes2 note aren't part of C43, but may be coded alongside it if the patient has both: malignant melanoma of skin of genital organs (C51-C52, C60.-, C63.-), Merkel cell carcinoma (C4A.-) and sites other than skin-code to malignant neoplasm of the site.

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

Specific codes under C43

Coding notes

Excludes1Not coded here — never report together with this code
  • melanoma in situ (D03.-)
Excludes2Not included here — may be reported together if both conditions exist
  • malignant melanoma of skin of genital organs (C51-C52, C60.-, C63.-)
  • Merkel cell carcinoma (C4A.-)
  • sites other than skin-code to malignant neoplasm of the site

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to C43.

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 2: Neoplasms.

Codes whose notes reference C43

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 C43

Is C43 billable?

No. C43 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.