What is ICD-10 code C71.2?

C71.2 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Malignant neoplasm of temporal lobe. Cancer that develops in the temporal lobe of the brain, which controls hearing, memory, and language. This is a malignant brain tumor in the side part of the cerebrum. C71.2 is a billable code, meaning it can be reported on a claim as a primary or secondary diagnosis when supported by documentation. C71.2 is part of the FY2026 ICD-10-CM code set published by the CMS National Center for Health Statistics and used on Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial claims in the United States.

Yes. C71.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can be reported on professional and institutional claims as a primary or secondary diagnosis when the provider documentation supports the specific condition described. Billable codes in ICD-10-CM are coded to the highest level of specificity available for the documented diagnosis. C71.2 is current for fiscal year 2026 and remains in the active CMS ICD-10-CM code set published by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Which HCC does C71.2 map to under V28?

C71.2 maps to CMS-HCC V28 HCC 20 (Lung and Other Severe Cancers). The category numbers, labels, and conditions come from the CMS-HCC V28 model file for payment year 2026.

2026 ICD-10-CM C71.2: Malignant neoplasm

C71.2 maps to CMS-HCC V28 20. A source-labeled RAF reference is available. Confirm the documented diagnosis and applicable coding requirements. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC Buddy coding tools

ICD-10-CM Code View

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Code lookupC71.2

Effective periodFY2026 Apr Update (Apr 1-Sep 30)

FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Malignant neoplasms of eye, brain and other parts of central nervous system (C69-C72)

C71.2

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

Malignant neoplasm of temporal lobe

Cancer that develops in the temporal lobe of the brain, which controls hearing, memory, and language. This is a malignant brain tumor in the side part of the cerebrum.

Buddy Insight

Temporal lobe malignancy affects the brain region responsible for auditory processing, memory formation, and receptive language (Wernicke's area on the dominant side).

Overview Risk Models Code Book Documentation Audit Notes Edition comparison

CMS-HCC V28

Mapped

HCC 20

Lung and Other Severe Cancers

Code-level coefficient reference

CMS-HCC V24

Historical

Not used for standard CY2026 Medicare Advantage payment. Select a historical period to review V24.

Not used for CY2026 payment

ACA/HHS

Mapped

HCC 009

HHS-HCC 009 adult, RAF varies...

Code-level coefficient reference

ESRD/PACE

Mapped

HCC 10

Lymphoma and Other Cancers

Code-level coefficient reference

RXHCC

Mapped

HCC 22

Prostate, Breast, Bladder, an...

Code-level coefficient reference

Code Book Path

Official

C71Malignant neoplasm of brain C71.2Malignant neoplasm of temporal lobe

Inclusion Terms

Official

No inclusion terms are included in this display for C71.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Excludes 2

Official

No Excludes 2 notes are included in this display for C71.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Related Codes

Official

C71.0Malignant neoplasm of cerebrum, except lobes and ventricles C71.1Malignant neoplasm of frontal lobe C71.3Malignant neoplasm of parietal lobe C71.4Malignant neoplasm of occipital lobe C71.5Malignant neoplasm of cerebral ventricle

Includes

Official

No Includes notes are included in this display for C71.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Excludes 1

Official

malignant neoplasm of cranial nerves (C72.2-C72.5)Inherited from C71
retrobulbar malignant neoplasm (C69.6-)Inherited from C71

Code First

Official

No Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for C71.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Use Additional

Official

No Use Additional Code instructions are included in this display for C71.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Code Also

Official

No Code Also instructions are included in this display for C71.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance

Pathology confirming primary malignancy with histological type and grade

MRI documenting temporal lobe location and laterality

Seizure history and current anticonvulsant management

Assessment of language function (especially if dominant hemisphere)

MEAT Support

HCC Buddy guidance

Pathology confirming primary malignancy with histological type and grade

MRI documenting temporal lobe location and laterality

Seizure history and current anticonvulsant management

Assessment of language function (especially if dominant hemisphere)

Audit Caution

HCC Buddy guidance

Defaulting to general cerebrum code (C71.0) when temporal lobe is specified on imaging

Coding brain metastases to the temporal lobe as primary temporal lobe cancer

Not coding associated epilepsy (G40 series) as a complication of the brain tumor

Using overlapping code (C71.8) when the tumor is confined to the temporal lobe

Common Mistakes

HCC Buddy guidance

C71.1 — Frontal lobe: verify specific lobe from imaging; frontotemporal tumors may need overlapping code

C71.3 — Parietal lobe: temporoparietal junction tumors require careful localization

C71.0 — Cerebrum, unspecified lobe: use C71.2 when temporal lobe is documented

C79.31 — Brain metastasis: distinguish primary temporal lobe cancer from metastatic disease

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 C71.2 an HCC code?

Yes. C71.2 (Malignant neoplasm of temporal lobe) maps to HCC 20, Lung and Other Severe Cancers under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, with a source-labeled community non-dual aged reference coefficient of 1.136. 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: C71.2 is billable and maps to V28 HCC 20, Lung and Other Severe Cancers. Open it in the Code Book for the tabular path, RAF, and MEAT checklist.

Code: C71.2
Description: Malignant neoplasm of temporal lobe
HCC (V28): HCC 20 — Lung and Other Severe Cancers
RAF reference coefficient: 1.136
Billable: Yes
Payment year: 2026

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 20, Lung and Other Severe Cancers

1.136

ESRDHCC 10, Lymphoma and Other Cancers

Not separately weighted

RxHCCHCC 22, Prostate, Breast, Bladder, and Other Cancers and Tumors

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 C71.2 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →

MEAT review for C71.2

For C71.2, 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

C71.2 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of temporal lobe. Cancer that develops in the temporal lobe of the brain, which controls hearing, memory, and language. This is a malignant brain tumor in the side part of the cerebrum. C71.2 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49), within the section covering malignant neoplasms of eye, brain and other parts of central nervous system (c69-c72).

Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, C71.2 maps to Lung and Other Severe Cancers (HCC 20) with a source-labeled community, non-dual, aged reference coefficient of 1.136. No V24 mapping is shown for C71.2; 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.

Ensure documentation clearly indicates temporal lobe involvement to distinguish from other brain locations. For C71.2, 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 C71.2 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

•Ensure documentation clearly indicates temporal lobe involvement to distinguish from other brain locations
•Document any associated symptoms like seizures or language difficulties, as these are common with temporal lobe tumors

Clinical Significance

Temporal lobe malignancy affects the brain region responsible for auditory processing, memory formation, and receptive language (Wernicke's area on the dominant side). Temporal lobe tumors frequently present with seizures — up to 80% of patients with temporal lobe gliomas experience epilepsy — making seizure history a key documentation element.

Documentation Requirements

✓Pathology confirming primary malignancy with histological type and grade
✓MRI documenting temporal lobe location and laterality
✓Seizure history and current anticonvulsant management
✓Assessment of language function (especially if dominant hemisphere)
✓Molecular markers and treatment plan

Commonly Confused Codes

•C71.1: Frontal lobe: verify specific lobe from imaging; frontotemporal tumors may need overlapping code
•C71.3: Parietal lobe: temporoparietal junction tumors require careful localization
•C71.0: Cerebrum, unspecified lobe: use C71.2 when temporal lobe is documented
•C79.31: Brain metastasis: distinguish primary temporal lobe cancer from metastatic disease