C44.02 ICD-10-CM Code: Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip
C44.02 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC Buddy coding tools
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FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin (C43-C44)
C44.02
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceSquamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip
A squamous cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, occurring on the lip.
CMS-HCC V28
N/A—
Not mapped
CMS-HCC V24
HistoricalHistorical
Not used for CY2026 payment
ACA/HHS
N/A—
Not mapped
ESRD/PACE
N/A—
Not mapped
RXHCC
N/A—
Not mapped
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list inclusion terms for C44.02 in this effective period.
Excludes 2
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for C44.02 in this effective period.
Related Child Codes
Includes
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for C44.02 in this effective period.
Excludes 1
Official- malignant neoplasm of lip (C00.-)
Code First
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for C44.02 in this effective period.
Use Additional
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for C44.02 in this effective period.
Code Also
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for C44.02 in this effective period.
Buddy Documentation Tip
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 C44.02 an HCC code?
No. C44.02 is a billable ICD-10-CM code with no mapping under the CMS-HCC V28 or V24 community payment models, and none under the ESRD, Part D RxHCC, or HHS-HCC models.
- Code
- C44.02
- Description
- Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip
- HCC (V28)
- No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
- RAF reference coefficient
- —
- Billable
- Yes
- Payment year
- 2026
Coder workflow notes
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This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).
What This Code Means
C44.02 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip. A squamous cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, occurring on the lip. C44.02 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49), within the section covering melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin (c43-c44).
C44.02 is a billable ICD-10-CM code, but the current payload does not show a mapping under the CMS-HCC V28 or V24 community payment models, and none under the ESRD, Part D RxHCC, or HHS-HCC models. Do not assign risk adjustment value from this page when no source-backed mapping is shown; verify the applicable model and payment year.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip has higher metastatic potential than basal cell; ensure pathology confirmation is documented.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for C44.02 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip has higher metastatic potential than basal cell; ensure pathology confirmation is documented
- •Note whether the lesion involves the lip vermillion or extends to adjacent structures, as this affects staging