C44.99 ICD-10-CM Code: Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin, unspecified
HCC Buddy Code Card
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FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin (C43-C44)
C44.99
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceOther specified malignant neoplasm of skin, unspecified
A malignant skin cancer of a type other than melanoma or squamous/basal cell carcinoma, occurring at an unspecified body location.
CMS-HCC V28
00
RAF 0
CMS-HCC V24
00
RAF 0
ACA/HHS
00
RAF 0
ESRD/PACE
00
RAF 0
RXHCC
00
RAF 0
Code Trumping
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Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list inclusion terms for C44.99 in this effective period.
Excludes 2
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for C44.99 in this effective period.
Related Child Codes
Includes
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for C44.99 in this effective period.
Excludes 1
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for C44.99 in this effective period.
Code First
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for C44.99 in this effective period.
Use Additional
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for C44.99 in this effective period.
Code Also
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for C44.99 in this effective period.
Buddy Documentation Tip
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr update, Apr 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026. CMS-HCC V28 is 100% phased in for payment year 2026.
Is C44.99 an HCC code?
No. C44.99 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.
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
C44.99 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other specified malignant neoplasm of skin, unspecified. A malignant skin cancer of a type other than melanoma or squamous/basal cell carcinoma, occurring at an unspecified body location. C44.99 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49), within the section covering melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin (c43-c44).
C44.99 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions but it does not contribute to a beneficiary's RAF score and therefore does not affect risk-adjusted payments to the plan.
This is a residual category for rare skin malignancies; ensure other more specific skin cancer codes do not apply.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for C44.99 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •This is a residual category for rare skin malignancies; ensure other more specific skin cancer codes do not apply
- •Review pathology reports carefully to confirm the histological type before using this catch-all code