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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

D38.0Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx

✓ Billable / specific

D38.0 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx. 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 D38.0

D38.0 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx. It belongs to category D38 (neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs), block D37-D48 (neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes) 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 D38 (neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs), D38.0 is specifically for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx. Related codes cover trachea, bronchus and lung (D38.1), pleura (D38.2), mediastinum (D38.3), thymus (D38.4), other respiratory organs (D38.5) and respiratory organ, unspecified (D38.6).

Don't report D38.0 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: neoplasm of uncertain behavior of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold NOS (D37.05), neoplasm of uncertain behavior of hypopharyngeal aspect of aryepiglottic fold (D37.05) and neoplasm of uncertain behavior of marginal zone of aryepiglottic fold (D37.05).

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 235.6 (neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx).

Coding notes

Applicable toConditions and synonyms classified to this code
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold, laryngeal aspect
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of epiglottis (suprahyoid portion)
Excludes1Not coded here — never report together with this code
  • neoplasm of uncertain behavior of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold NOS (D37.05)
  • neoplasm of uncertain behavior of hypopharyngeal aspect of aryepiglottic fold (D37.05)
  • neoplasm of uncertain behavior of marginal zone of aryepiglottic fold (D37.05)

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to D38.0.

› From D38 Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs
Excludes1
  • neoplasm of uncertain behavior of heart (D48.7)

Broader instructions also apply from D37-D48 Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes and Chapter 2: Neoplasms.

Table of Drugs & Neoplasms entries

Codes whose notes reference D38.0

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 →
  • 235.6Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynxexact

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 D38.0

Is D38.0 billable?

Yes. D38.0 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can D38.0 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict D38.0 as a principal diagnosis.

Is D38.0 a CC or MCC?

No. D38.0 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does D38.0 group to?

D38.0 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 D38.0?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map D38.0 to ICD-9-CM 235.6.