C81.74 ICD-10-CM Code: Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb
C81.74 maps to CMS-HCC V28 21 (RAF 0.671). Documentation must support MEAT. MEAT criteria · RAF calculator · HCC coding software
HCC Buddy Code Card
Digital ICD-10 code-book layout with official code detail, always-visible risk models, Code Trumping, and Buddy coding guidance.
FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue (C81-C96)
C81.74
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceOther Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb
A less common type of Hodgkin lymphoma affecting lymph nodes in the armpits and upper arms.
Buddy Insight
Other Hodgkin lymphoma of axillary and upper limb lymph nodes represents an uncommon variant at an accessible peripheral nodal site.
CMS-HCC V28
MappedHCC 21
RAF 0.671
CMS-HCC V24
MappedHCC 10
RAF 0.675
ACA/HHS
MappedHCC 12
Varies by metal level
ESRD/PACE
MappedHCC 10
RAF 0.111
RXHCC
MappedHCC 21
RAF 0.410
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
Official- Classical Hodgkin lymphoma NOS
- Other classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Excludes 2
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for C81.74 in this effective period.
Related Child Codes
Includes
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for C81.74 in this effective period.
Excludes 1
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for C81.74 in this effective period.
Code First
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for C81.74 in this effective period.
Use Additional
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for C81.74 in this effective period.
Code Also
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for C81.74 in this effective period.
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 C81.74 an HCC code?
Yes. C81.74 (Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb) maps to Lymphoma and Other Cancers under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model (and Lymphoma and Other Cancers under V24), with a community non-dual aged RAF of 0.671. It is billable for payment year 2026.
Coder answer: C81.74 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
- C81.74
- Description
- Other Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb
- HCC (V28)
- HCC 21 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers
- RAF
- 0.671
- Billable
- Yes
- Payment year
- 2026
HCC Category Mapping
Each model's RAF is its CMS base weight for that model's standard population, so 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 segment, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains in use during the transition and for historical data.
Work C81.74 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF, and MEAT checklist →
MEAT Criteria for C81.74
For C81.74 to count as a valid HCC diagnosis in a given encounter, the provider's documentation must show MEAT: Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat. A diagnosis from a prior year does not carry forward automatically, it has to be re-documented and supported each calendar year.
- 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
Only one of M/E/A/T is required to support the code, but the documentation must be specific enough to show that the provider actually addressed C81.74 during that encounter, not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.
Coder workflow notes
Get the V28 RAF + MEAT cheat sheet
One printable page: confirm a code's V28 HCC status, its RAF weight, and the MEAT your note needs to make it stick. Free, no card.
Free PDF. No card. Unsubscribe anytime.
What This Code Means
C81.74 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other hodgkin lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb. A less common type of Hodgkin lymphoma affecting lymph nodes in the armpits and upper arms. C81.74 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, C81.74 maps to Lymphoma and Other Cancers (HCC 21) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.671. Under the older V24 model, C81.74 mapped to the same category but with a base RAF weight of 0.675, V28 recalibrated weights across the entire model. V28 is the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model that reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition.
Ensure documentation specifies axillary and/or upper limb involvement. Because C81.74 maps to a payment HCC, the provider's documentation must satisfy MEAT criteria (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) for the encounter to count toward the patient's Medicare Advantage risk adjustment score. 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, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for C81.74 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Ensure documentation specifies axillary and/or upper limb involvement
- •Note laterality if documented, though not required for this code
Clinical Significance
Other Hodgkin lymphoma of axillary and upper limb lymph nodes represents an uncommon variant at an accessible peripheral nodal site. Axillary disease may be palpable on physical examination and is readily biopsied for histologic confirmation. The 'other' subtype designation indicates the lymphoma does not fit standard Hodgkin categories and may benefit from expert hematopathology consultation.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Pathology confirming Hodgkin lymphoma classified as 'other' subtype from axillary or upper limb biopsy
- ✓Physical exam or imaging documenting axillary and/or upper limb lymph node involvement
- ✓Laterality documentation when applicable
- ✓Complete staging workup
- ✓Treatment plan and encounter management
Commonly Confused Codes
- •C81.14: Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, axilla/upper limb: verify the subtype does not match standard categories
- •C81.94: Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, axilla/upper limb: 'other' implies pathology reviewed but not standard; 'unspecified' implies subtype not determined
- •C77.3: Secondary malignant neoplasm, axillary nodes: for metastatic carcinoma, not primary lymphoma