C15 ICD-10-CM Code: Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
C15 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · free HCC coding tools
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FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (C15-C26)
C15
Header CodeICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceMalignant neoplasm of esophagus
CMS-HCC V28
N/A—
Not mapped
CMS-HCC V24
N/A—
Not mapped
ACA/HHS
N/A—
Not mapped
ESRD/PACE
N/A—
Not mapped
RXHCC
N/A—
Not mapped
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialNo inclusion terms are included in this display for C15. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 2
Official- gastrointestinal stromal tumors (C49.A-)Inherited from C15-C26
Related Codes
Includes
OfficialNo Includes notes are included in this display for C15. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 1
Official- Kaposi's sarcoma of gastrointestinal sites (C46.4)Inherited from C15-C26
Code First
OfficialNo Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for C15. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Use Additional
Official- code to identify:
- alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
Code Also
OfficialNo Code Also instructions are included in this display for C15. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →
- Code
- C15
- Description
- Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
- HCC (V28)
- No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
- RAF reference coefficient
- —
- Billable
- No
- Payment year
- 2026
Coder workflow notes
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What This Code Means
C15 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of esophagus. C15 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49), within the section covering malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (c15-c26).
Header codes like C15 cannot be reported on claims directly; they organize child codes that share clinical context. Coders should select the billable child code that matches the documented presentation and then verify its current source-backed HCC mapping. Do not infer a child code or risk adjustment value from the header alone.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for C15 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Use Additional Code
- code to identify:
- alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)