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C81.71 ICD-10-CM Code: Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck

C81.71 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 lookupC81.71

FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue (C81-C96)

C81.71

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

Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck

A less common type of Hodgkin lymphoma affecting lymph nodes in the head, face, and neck region.

Buddy the Bee presenting code insight

Buddy Insight

Other Hodgkin lymphoma involving head, face, and neck lymph nodes captures a pathologically confirmed Hodgkin variant that does not fit standard subtype categories in the most common presentation site.

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 012

Code-level coefficient reference

ESRD/PACE

HCC 10

Code-level coefficient reference

RXHCC

HCC 21

Code-level coefficient reference

Code Book Path

Official
C81Hodgkin lymphomaC81.7Other Hodgkin lymphomaC81.71Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck

Inclusion Terms

Official
  • Classical Hodgkin lymphoma NOSInherited from C81.7
  • Other classical Hodgkin lymphomaInherited from C81.7

Excludes 2

Official
  • Kaposi's sarcoma of lymph nodes (C46.3)Inherited from C81-C96
  • secondary and unspecified neoplasm of lymph nodes (C77.-)Inherited from C81-C96
  • secondary neoplasm of bone marrow (C79.52)Inherited from C81-C96
  • secondary neoplasm of spleen (C78.89)Inherited from C81-C96

Related Codes

Official
C81.70Other Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified siteC81.72Other Hodgkin lymphoma, intrathoracic lymph nodesC81.73Other Hodgkin lymphoma, intra-abdominal lymph nodesC81.74Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limbC81.75Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of inguinal region and lower limb

Includes

Official

No Includes notes are included in this display for C81.71. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Excludes 1

Official
  • personal history of Hodgkin lymphoma (Z85.71)Inherited from C81

Code First

Official

No Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for C81.71. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Use Additional

Official

No Use Additional Code instructions are included in this display for C81.71. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Code Also

Official

No Code Also instructions are included in this display for C81.71. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance
Pathology report indicating Hodgkin lymphoma classified as 'other' type with specific morphologic features described
Physical exam or imaging documenting head, face, or neck lymph node involvement
Explanation of why the case does not fit standard subtype categories
Complete staging workup

MEAT Support

HCC Buddy guidance
Pathology report indicating Hodgkin lymphoma classified as 'other' type with specific morphologic features described
Physical exam or imaging documenting head, face, or neck lymph node involvement
Explanation of why the case does not fit standard subtype categories
Complete staging workup

Audit Caution

HCC Buddy guidance
Selecting 'other' Hodgkin when the pathology actually identifies a standard subtype
Using unspecified type (C81.91) when pathology has specifically classified the variant as 'other'
Not documenting the specific head/face/neck nodes when physical exam identifies them
Failing to review the full pathology report before selecting the subtype code

Common Mistakes

HCC Buddy guidance
C81.11 — Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, head/face/neck: the most common subtype at this site; verify pathology does not match standard categories
C81.91 — Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified type, head/face/neck: use C81.71 when pathology confirms Hodgkin but classifies it as a non-standard variant; use C81.91 when the subtype is truly unknown
C85.11 — Unspecified B-cell lymphoma, head/face/neck: this is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma code

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 C81.71 an HCC code?

Yes. C81.71 (Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck) 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: C81.71 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
C81.71
Description
Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck
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 10, Lymphoma and Other Cancers
Not separately weighted
RxHCCHCC 21, Lymphomas and Other Hematologic 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 C81.71 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →

MEAT review for C81.71

For C81.71, 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

C81.71 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck. A less common type of Hodgkin lymphoma affecting lymph nodes in the head, face, and neck region. C81.71 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49), within the section covering malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue (c81-c96).

Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, C81.71 maps to Lymphoma and Other Cancers (HCC 21) with a source-labeled community, non-dual, aged reference coefficient of 0.671. 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.

Confirm this is 'other' Hodgkin lymphoma subtype, not lymphocyte-rich or nodular sclerosis. For C81.71, 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 C81.71 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

  • •Confirm this is 'other' Hodgkin lymphoma subtype, not lymphocyte-rich or nodular sclerosis
  • •Document specific anatomical sites within head/face/neck for treatment planning purposes

Clinical Significance

Other Hodgkin lymphoma involving head, face, and neck lymph nodes captures a pathologically confirmed Hodgkin variant that does not fit standard subtype categories in the most common presentation site. Cervical lymphadenopathy is the typical initial presentation for Hodgkin lymphoma, and rare variant histology at this site warrants careful pathologic review and appropriate oncologic management.

Documentation Requirements

  • ✓Pathology report indicating Hodgkin lymphoma classified as 'other' type with specific morphologic features described
  • ✓Physical exam or imaging documenting head, face, or neck lymph node involvement
  • ✓Explanation of why the case does not fit standard subtype categories
  • ✓Complete staging workup
  • ✓Active management documentation during the encounter

Commonly Confused Codes

  • •C81.11: Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, head/face/neck: the most common subtype at this site; verify pathology does not match standard categories
  • •C81.91: Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified type, head/face/neck: use C81.71 when pathology confirms Hodgkin but classifies it as a non-standard variant; use C81.91 when the subtype is truly unknown
  • •C85.11: Unspecified B-cell lymphoma, head/face/neck: this is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma code

Child Codes

C81.70Other Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified site
HCC 21
C81.71Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck
HCC 21
C81.72Other Hodgkin lymphoma, intrathoracic lymph nodes
HCC 21
C81.73Other Hodgkin lymphoma, intra-abdominal lymph nodes
HCC 21
C81.74Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb
HCC 21
C81.75Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of inguinal region and lower limb
HCC 21
C81.76Other Hodgkin lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
HCC 21
C81.77Other Hodgkin lymphoma, spleen
HCC 21
C81.78Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of multiple sites
HCC 21
C81.79Other Hodgkin lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites
HCC 21
C81.7AOther Hodgkin lymphoma, in remission
HCC 21

Code Hierarchy

└C81Hodgkin lymphoma└C81.7Other Hodgkin lymphoma└C81.71Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck
└C81.71Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck

C81.71 code history

Code setChange
FY2017 (effective Oct 1, 2016)Description revised

Source: official CMS ICD-10-CM order and addenda files, FY2016 through FY2027.

Also searched as

  • C81 71
  • C8171

For C81.71, 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.

C81.71 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 C81.71. 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.

Work C81.71 in HCC Buddy

Open C81.71 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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