C32.1
BillableMalignant neoplasm of supraglottis
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026) | CMS-HCC V28 (100% phase-in, PY2026)
Is C32.1 an HCC code?
Yes. C32.1 maps to Breast, Prostate, Colorectal and Other Cancers and Tumors under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model (and Colorectal, Bladder, and Other Cancers under V24).
HCC Category Mapping
RAF weights shown are the community, non-dual, aged base weights from the CMS risk adjustment model file. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member segment, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains in use during the transition and for historical data.
MEAT Criteria for C32.1
For C32.1 to count as a valid HCC diagnosis in a given encounter, the provider's documentation must show MEAT: Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat. A diagnosis from a prior year does not carry forward automatically — it has to be re-documented and supported each calendar year.
- MMonitor: signs, symptoms, disease progression, or lab trending documented in the note
- EEvaluate: test results, medication response, or physical findings reviewed by the provider
- AAssess: explicit mention in the assessment or plan with acknowledgment of status
- TTreat: medication, referral, procedure, therapy, or counseling tied to the diagnosis
Only one of M/E/A/T is required to support the code, but the documentation must be specific enough to show that the provider actually addressed C32.1 during that encounter — not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.
What This Code Means
C32.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of supraglottis. Cancer of the supraglottis, which is the upper portion of the larynx (voice box) above the vocal cords. C32.1 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49), within the section covering malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs (c30-c39).
Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, C32.1 maps to Breast, Prostate, Colorectal and Other Cancers and Tumors (HCC 21) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.545. Under the older CMS-HCC V24 model, C32.1 maps to Colorectal, Bladder, and Other Cancers (HCC 11) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.306. V28 is the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model that reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition.
Supraglottic cancers include tumors of the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, and false vocal cords. Because C32.1 maps to a payment HCC, the provider's documentation must satisfy MEAT criteria (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) for the encounter to count toward the patient's Medicare Advantage risk adjustment score. When documentation is ambiguous, coders should issue a provider query rather than assume the highest-specificity variant.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for C32.1 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Supraglottic cancers include tumors of the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, and false vocal cords
- •These cancers often present at a more advanced stage due to the rich lymphatic drainage in this area
Clinical Significance
Supraglottic cancer arises above the vocal cords in structures including the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, and false vocal cords. These tumors present later than glottic cancers because they do not cause early voice changes, and they have a higher rate of cervical lymph node metastasis due to rich lymphatic drainage. Treatment is more aggressive, often requiring combined modality therapy.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Laryngoscopy confirming supraglottic primary site
- ✓Pathology with histological type
- ✓Assessment of pre-epiglottic space invasion
- ✓Cervical lymph node status (clinical and imaging)
- ✓TNM staging and treatment plan including neck dissection consideration
Excludes 2 — Not included here, may code separately
- malignant neoplasm of anterior surface of epiglottis (C10.1)
- malignant neoplasm of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold, hypopharyngeal aspect (C13.1)
- malignant neoplasm of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold, marginal zone (C13.1)
- malignant neoplasm of aryepiglottic fold or interarytenoid fold NOS (C13.1)