C82.54
BillableDiffuse follicle center lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026) | CMS-HCC V28 (100% phase-in, PY2026)
Is C82.54 an HCC code?
Yes. C82.54 maps to Breast, Prostate, Colorectal and Other Cancers and Tumors under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model (and Lymphoma and Other Cancers under V24).
HCC Category Mapping
RAF weights shown are the community, non-dual, aged base weights from the CMS risk adjustment model file. 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.
MEAT Criteria for C82.54
For C82.54 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 C82.54 during that encounter — not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.
What This Code Means
C82.54 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for diffuse follicle center lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb. This is a type of blood cancer (lymphoma) that starts in the lymph nodes located in the armpit and upper arm area. The cancer cells grow slowly and spread through the lymph node tissue in these specific locations. C82.54 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, C82.54 maps to Breast, Prostate, Colorectal and Other Cancers and Tumors (HCC 21) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.545. Under the older CMS-HCC V24 model, C82.54 maps to Lymphoma and Other Cancers (HCC 10) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.675. 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.
Verify the anatomical site is specifically the axilla and upper limb lymph nodes, as other sites have different codes (C82.5x with different 5th characters). Because C82.54 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 C82.54 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
Clinical Significance
Diffuse follicle center lymphoma involving axillary and upper limb lymph nodes often presents as painless lymphadenopathy discovered on physical exam or incidentally on imaging. Axillary lymphadenopathy requires differentiation from breast cancer metastases, melanoma, and reactive causes. Upper limb lymph node involvement may cause lymphedema and functional limitations. This localized presentation may indicate early-stage disease if limited to a single nodal region.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Pathology confirming diffuse follicle center lymphoma
- ✓Documentation of specific axillary or upper limb lymph node involvement
- ✓Laterality (right, left, or bilateral) of lymph node involvement
- ✓Imaging confirmation with measurements
- ✓Assessment for upper extremity lymphedema or neurovascular compromise
- ✓Staging documentation to determine if disease is limited to this region