C38.1 ICD-10-CM Code: Malignant neoplasm of anterior mediastinum
C38.1 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 · free HCC coding tools
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FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs (C30-C39)
C38.1
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceMalignant neoplasm of anterior mediastinum
This code describes cancer that starts in the anterior (front) mediastinum, which is the space in the chest between the lungs that contains the heart, major blood vessels, and other structures. It is a malignant (cancerous) tumor in this specific location.
Buddy Insight
Anterior mediastinal cancers include a diverse group of tumors — thymomas, germ cell tumors, lymphomas, and thyroid tumors extending into the mediastinum.
CMS-HCC V28
MappedHCC 21
Coefficient HCC 21: 0.671 (Community Non-Dual Aged (CNA))
CMS-HCC V24
HistoricalHistorical
Not used for CY2026 payment
ACA/HHS
MappedHCC 011
Code-level coefficient reference
ESRD/PACE
MappedHCC 11
Code-level coefficient reference
RXHCC
MappedHCC 22
Code-level coefficient reference
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialNo inclusion terms are included in this display for C38.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 2
OfficialNo Excludes 2 notes are included in this display for C38.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Related Codes
Includes
Official- malignant neoplasm of middle earInherited from C30-C39
Excludes 1
Official- mesothelioma (C45.-)Inherited from C30-C39, C38
Code First
OfficialNo Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for C38.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Use Additional
OfficialNo Use Additional Code instructions are included in this display for C38.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Code Also
OfficialNo Code Also instructions are included in this display for C38.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Buddy Documentation Tip
MEAT Support
Audit Caution
Common Mistakes
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 C38.1 an HCC code?
Yes. C38.1 (Malignant neoplasm of anterior mediastinum) 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: C38.1 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
- C38.1
- Description
- Malignant neoplasm of anterior mediastinum
- HCC (V28)
- HCC 21 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers
- RAF reference coefficient
- 0.671
- Billable
- Yes
- Payment year
- 2026
HCC Category Mapping
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 C38.1 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →
MEAT review for C38.1
For C38.1, 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
C38.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of anterior mediastinum. This code describes cancer that starts in the anterior (front) mediastinum, which is the space in the chest between the lungs that contains the heart, major blood vessels, and other structures. It is a malignant (cancerous) tumor in this specific location. C38.1 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, C38.1 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 C38.1; 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.
Verify the histological type of the malignancy (e.g., lymphoma, thymoma, germ cell tumor) as this may require additional coding with laterality or histology codes. For C38.1, 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 C38.1 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Verify the histological type of the malignancy (e.g., lymphoma, thymoma, germ cell tumor) as this may require additional coding with laterality or histology codes
- •Ensure documentation specifies 'anterior mediastinum' to distinguish from other mediastinal locations (middle C38.2 or posterior C38.3), as treatment and prognosis differ significantly
Clinical Significance
Anterior mediastinal cancers include a diverse group of tumors — thymomas, germ cell tumors, lymphomas, and thyroid tumors extending into the mediastinum. The anterior mediastinum is the most common location for mediastinal masses. Accurate site coding is essential because treatment varies dramatically by histological type.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Pathology confirming malignancy and histological type
- ✓Imaging specifying anterior mediastinal location
- ✓Assessment for compression of adjacent structures (superior vena cava, airway)
- ✓Tumor markers (AFP, beta-HCG for germ cell tumors; LDH for lymphoma)
- ✓Differentiation from thymic, thyroid, or lymphomatous origin
Commonly Confused Codes
- •C37: Thymic cancer: If the anterior mediastinal mass is confirmed as thymic, use C37
- •C38.2: Posterior mediastinum: Different anatomical compartment with different tumor types
- •C38.3: Mediastinum, unspecified: Use only when the specific compartment cannot be identified
- •C81-C85: Lymphoma codes: Mediastinal lymphomas should use lymphoma-specific codes