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C32.3 ICD-10-CM Code: Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage

C32.3 maps to CMS-HCC V28 21. A source-labeled RAF reference is available. Confirm the documented diagnosis and applicable coding requirements. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC coding software

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Code lookupC32.3

FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs (C30-C39)

C32.3

Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidance

Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage

Cancer that arises from the cartilage structures of the larynx (voice box), such as the thyroid or cricoid cartilage.

Buddy the Bee presenting code insight

Buddy Insight

Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage represents cancer arising from the cartilaginous framework of the larynx (thyroid, cricoid, arytenoid cartilages) rather than the mucosal lining.

OverviewRisk ModelsCode BookDocumentationAuditNotesEdition comparison

CMS-HCC V28

HCC 21

Coefficient HCC 21: 0.671 (Community Non-Dual Aged (CNA))

CMS-HCC V24

Historical

Historical

Not used for CY2026 payment

ACA/HHS

HCC 011

Code-level coefficient reference

ESRD/PACE

HCC 11

Code-level coefficient reference

RXHCC

N/A

—

Not mapped

Code Book Path

Official
C32Malignant neoplasm of larynxC32.3Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage

Inclusion Terms

Official

No inclusion terms are included in this display for C32.3. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Excludes 2

Official

No Excludes 2 notes are included in this display for C32.3. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Related Codes

Official
C32.0Malignant neoplasm of glottisC32.1Malignant neoplasm of supraglottisC32.2Malignant neoplasm of subglottisC32.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of larynxC32.9Malignant neoplasm of larynx, unspecified

Includes

Official
  • malignant neoplasm of middle earInherited from C30-C39

Excludes 1

Official
  • mesothelioma (C45.-)Inherited from C30-C39

Code First

Official

No Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for C32.3. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Use Additional

Official
  • code to identify:Inherited from C32
  • alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)Inherited from C32
  • exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)Inherited from C32
  • exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)Inherited from C32
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)Inherited from C32
  • occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)Inherited from C32
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)Inherited from C32
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)Inherited from C32

Code Also

Official

No Code Also instructions are included in this display for C32.3. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance
Pathology confirming cartilaginous origin (chondrosarcoma most common)
Imaging identifying the specific cartilage involved (thyroid, cricoid, arytenoid)
Assessment of airway compromise
TNM staging and surgical planning

MEAT Support

HCC Buddy guidance
Pathology confirming cartilaginous origin (chondrosarcoma most common)
Imaging identifying the specific cartilage involved (thyroid, cricoid, arytenoid)
Assessment of airway compromise
TNM staging and surgical planning

Audit Caution

HCC Buddy guidance
Coding mucosal squamous cell carcinoma with cartilage invasion as C32.3 — code by the mucosal site of origin
Confusing primary cartilaginous tumors (chondrosarcoma) with secondary cartilage invasion by mucosal cancers
Not documenting the specific cartilage involved for surgical planning
Using unspecified larynx (C32.9) when the cartilaginous origin is documented

Common Mistakes

HCC Buddy guidance
C32.0-C32.2 — Mucosal laryngeal cancers: Squamous cell carcinomas of the mucosa that invade cartilage are coded by mucosal site, not C32.3
D14.1 — Benign neoplasm of larynx: Low-grade chondrosarcomas may be confused with benign chondromas
C41.0 — Malignant neoplasm of bones of skull and face: Laryngeal cartilage is distinct from skull/facial bones
C32.8 — Overlapping laryngeal sites: Use when the tumor involves both cartilage and mucosal sites

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 →

Is C32.3 an HCC code?

Yes. C32.3 (Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage) maps to HCC 21, Lymphoma and Other Cancers under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, with a source-labeled community non-dual aged reference coefficient of 0.671. Source-labeled code-level coefficients are references, not member totals. Actual contribution depends on complete member context, hierarchy and cleanup rules, interactions, and model year. HCC Buddy's RAF Calculator supports CMS-HCC V28 PY2026 and shows no score unless every required source and calculation check passes. It is billable for payment year 2026.

Coder answer: C32.3 is billable and maps to V28 HCC 21, Lymphoma and Other Cancers. Open it in the Code Book for the tabular path, RAF, and MEAT checklist.

Code
C32.3
Description
Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage
HCC (V28)
HCC 21 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers
RAF reference coefficient
0.671
Billable
Yes
Payment year
2026

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 21, Lymphoma and Other Cancers
0.671
ESRDHCC 11, Colorectal/Bladder/and Other Cancers
Not separately weighted

These are source-labeled model coefficients, not member totals. A category may still be removed by hierarchy or model cleanup rules. Weights are not directly comparable across models: CMS-HCC V28 and V24 use Community, Non-Dual, Aged; ESRD uses the dialysis continuing-enrollee model; RxHCC is the Part D continuing-enrollee, non-low-income, aged weight (a larger scale than CMS-HCC). ACA/HHS has no single weight — it varies by metal level. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member context, hierarchy and cleanup rules, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains available for historical review.

Work C32.3 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →

MEAT review for C32.3

For C32.3, confirm that the documentation supports the diagnosis and meets the applicable coding, encounter, program and payer requirements. MEAT (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) is a review mnemonic, not a universal CMS coding rule.

  • 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

Coder workflow notes

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What This Code Means

C32.3 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage. Cancer that arises from the cartilage structures of the larynx (voice box), such as the thyroid or cricoid cartilage. C32.3 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, C32.3 maps to Lymphoma and Other Cancers (HCC 21) with a source-labeled community, non-dual, aged reference coefficient of 0.671. No V24 mapping is shown for C32.3; use the applicable model and payment year when reviewing the V28 mapping. For CY2026 non-PACE Medicare Advantage, CMS uses 100% of the 2024 CMS-HCC model (V28). PACE uses a separate model blend. Source-labeled code-level coefficients are references, not member totals. Actual contribution depends on complete member context, hierarchy and cleanup rules, interactions, and model year. HCC Buddy's RAF Calculator supports CMS-HCC V28 PY2026 and shows no score unless every required source and calculation check passes.

This code is used when the tumor specifically involves laryngeal cartilage rather than the mucosal lining. For C32.3, confirm that the documentation supports the diagnosis and meets the applicable coding, encounter, program and payer requirements. MEAT (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) is a review mnemonic, not a universal CMS coding rule. 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, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for C32.3 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

  • •This code is used when the tumor specifically involves laryngeal cartilage rather than the mucosal lining
  • •Document the specific cartilage involved (thyroid, cricoid, arytenoid) when possible for clinical clarity

Clinical Significance

Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage represents cancer arising from the cartilaginous framework of the larynx (thyroid, cricoid, arytenoid cartilages) rather than the mucosal lining. These are typically chondrosarcomas and are clinically distinct from the far more common squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx. They grow slowly but can cause airway compromise.

Documentation Requirements

  • ✓Pathology confirming cartilaginous origin (chondrosarcoma most common)
  • ✓Imaging identifying the specific cartilage involved (thyroid, cricoid, arytenoid)
  • ✓Assessment of airway compromise
  • ✓TNM staging and surgical planning
  • ✓Distinction from mucosal laryngeal cancers invading cartilage

Commonly Confused Codes

  • •C32.0-C32.2: Mucosal laryngeal cancers: Squamous cell carcinomas of the mucosa that invade cartilage are coded by mucosal site, not C32.3
  • •D14.1: Benign neoplasm of larynx: Low-grade chondrosarcomas may be confused with benign chondromas
  • •C41.0: Malignant neoplasm of bones of skull and face: Laryngeal cartilage is distinct from skull/facial bones
  • •C32.8: Overlapping laryngeal sites: Use when the tumor involves both cartilage and mucosal sites

Child Codes

C32.0Malignant neoplasm of glottis
HCC 21
C32.1Malignant neoplasm of supraglottis
HCC 21
C32.2Malignant neoplasm of subglottis
HCC 21
C32.3Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage
HCC 21
C32.8Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of larynx
HCC 21
C32.9Malignant neoplasm of larynx, unspecified
HCC 21

Code Hierarchy

└C32Malignant neoplasm of larynx└C32.3Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage
└C32.3Malignant neoplasm of laryngeal cartilage

Also searched as

  • C32 3
  • C323

For C32.3, confirm that the documentation supports the diagnosis and meets the applicable coding, encounter, program and payer requirements. MEAT (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) is a review mnemonic, not a universal CMS coding rule.

C32.3 maps to CMS-HCC V28 category 21, Lymphoma and Other Cancers. See the ICD-10 to HCC mapping hub for how the V28 crosswalk works. The mapping identifies a payment HCC category for C32.3. Review its source-labeled HCC coefficient above, check the RAF Calculator with complete member context for CMS-HCC V28 PY2026, and confirm the documentation the chart needs before the code is submitted. HCC Buddy shows no RAF score unless every required source and calculation check passes.

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Open C32.3 in the Code Book for the full Index-to-Tabular path, MEAT checklist, and V28 HCC mapping, or in the Encoder to code from a keyword search. Pro includes 7 days to try everything, no card required.

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