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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

C44.00Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of lip

✓ Billable / specific

C44.00 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of lip. 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 C44.00

C44.00 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of lip. It belongs to category C44 (other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin), block C43-C44 (melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin) 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 C44.0, choose C44.00 (Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of lip) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: basal cell carcinoma of skin of lip (C44.01), squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip (C44.02) and other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of lip (C44.09).

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 606 (Minor Skin Disorders with MCC, relative weight 1.5728) and DRG 607 (Minor Skin Disorders without MCC, relative weight 0.8772), in Pre-MDC and MDC 09 (Diseases and Disorders of the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast), 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 173.00 (unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of lip).

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to C44.00.

› From C44.0 Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of lip
Excludes1
  • malignant neoplasm of lip (C00.-)
› From C44 Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin
Includes
  • malignant neoplasm of sebaceous glands
  • malignant neoplasm of sweat glands
Excludes1
  • Kaposi's sarcoma of skin (C46.0)
  • malignant melanoma of skin (C43.-)
  • malignant neoplasm of skin of genital organs (C51-C52, C60.-, C63.2)
  • Merkel cell carcinoma (C4A.-)

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.

MDC 09 · Diseases and Disorders of the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 173.00Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of lipexact

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 C44.00

Is C44.00 billable?

Yes. C44.00 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can C44.00 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict C44.00 as a principal diagnosis.

Is C44.00 a CC or MCC?

No. C44.00 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does C44.00 group to?

C44.00 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 606 (Minor Skin Disorders with MCC) and MS-DRG 607 (Minor Skin Disorders without 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 C44.00?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map C44.00 to ICD-9-CM 173.00.