Skip to content
HCC Buddy home

C83.34 ICD-10-CM Code: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb

C83.34 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 · free HCC coding tools

ICD-10-CM Code View

HCC Buddy Code Card

Digital ICD-10 code-book layout with official code detail, always-visible risk models, Code Trumping, and Buddy coding guidance.

Code lookupC83.34

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

C83.34

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

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb

A type of aggressive blood cancer (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) affecting lymph nodes in the armpits and upper arms.

Buddy the Bee presenting code insight

Buddy Insight

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of axillary and upper limb lymph nodes is a frequently encountered site presentation.

OverviewRisk ModelsCode BookDocumentationAuditNotesEdition comparison

CMS-HCC V28

HCC 20

Coefficient HCC 20: 1.136 (Community Non-Dual Aged (CNA))

CMS-HCC V24

Historical

Historical

Not used for CY2026 payment

ACA/HHS

HCC 010

Code-level coefficient reference

ESRD/PACE

HCC 10

Code-level coefficient reference

RXHCC

HCC 21

Code-level coefficient reference

Code Book Path

Official
C83Non-follicular lymphomaC83.3Diffuse large B-cell lymphomaC83.34Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb

Inclusion Terms

Official
  • Anaplastic diffuse large B-cell lymphomaInherited from C83.3
  • CD30-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphomaInherited from C83.3
  • Centroblastic diffuse large B-cell lymphomaInherited from C83.3
  • Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, subtype not specifiedInherited from C83.3
  • Immunoblastic diffuse large B-cell lymphomaInherited from C83.3
  • Plasmablastic diffuse large B-cell lymphomaInherited from C83.3
  • T-cell rich diffuse large B-cell lymphomaInherited from C83.3

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
C83.30Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, unspecified siteC83.31Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neckC83.32Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, intrathoracic lymph nodesC83.33Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, intra-abdominal lymph nodesC83.35Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of inguinal region and lower limb

Includes

Official

No Includes notes are included in this display for C83.34. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Excludes 1

Official
  • personal history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Z85.72)Inherited from C83, C83.3
  • mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma (C85.2-)Inherited from C83, C83.3
  • mature T/NK-cell lymphomas (C84.-)Inherited from C83, C83.3

Code First

Official

No Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for C83.34. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Use Additional

Official

No Use Additional Code instructions are included in this display for C83.34. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Code Also

Official

No Code Also instructions are included in this display for C83.34. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance
Pathology confirmation of DLBCL from axillary node biopsy
Documentation specifying axillary and/or upper limb lymph node involvement
Laterality (right, left, bilateral)
Node size measurement and rate of growth if applicable

MEAT Support

HCC Buddy guidance
Pathology confirmation of DLBCL from axillary node biopsy
Documentation specifying axillary and/or upper limb lymph node involvement
Laterality (right, left, bilateral)
Node size measurement and rate of growth if applicable

Audit Caution

HCC Buddy guidance
Confusing axillary lymphoma with metastatic breast cancer in axillary nodes (requires pathology confirmation)
Coding supraclavicular nodes as axillary when they are classified under head/face/neck
Using unspecified site when physical exam or imaging clearly identifies axillary involvement

Common Mistakes

HCC Buddy guidance
C83.14 — Mantle cell lymphoma, axilla/upper limb; different subtype requiring pathology differentiation
C83.04 — Small cell B-cell lymphoma, axilla/upper limb; indolent lymphoma with different prognosis
C83.31 — DLBCL, head/face/neck; supraclavicular nodes belong to the cervical chain, not axillary
C77.3 — Secondary/unspecified malignant neoplasm of axillary lymph nodes; this is for metastatic disease, not primary lymphoma

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 C83.34 an HCC code?

Yes. C83.34 (Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb) 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: C83.34 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
C83.34
Description
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb
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 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 C83.34 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →

MEAT review for C83.34

For C83.34, 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

Get the V28 mapping + MEAT cheat sheet

One printable reference: check representative V28 mappings and the documentation reminders your note needs. Free, no card.

Free PDF. No card. Unsubscribe anytime.

What This Code Means

C83.34 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for diffuse large b-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb. A type of aggressive blood cancer (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) affecting lymph nodes in the armpits and upper arms. C83.34 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, C83.34 maps to Lung and Other Severe Cancers (HCC 20) with a source-labeled community, non-dual, aged reference coefficient of 1.136. 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.

Axillary lymph nodes are the primary focus; ensure documentation distinguishes between axillary and other upper limb involvement. For C83.34, 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 C83.34 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

  • •Axillary lymph nodes are the primary focus; ensure documentation distinguishes between axillary and other upper limb involvement
  • •Verify laterality (right vs. left) is documented if clinically relevant for treatment planning

Clinical Significance

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of axillary and upper limb lymph nodes is a frequently encountered site presentation. Axillary lymphadenopathy from DLBCL is typically rapidly progressive, unlike the indolent course seen in low-grade lymphomas, making timely diagnosis and treatment initiation critical.

Documentation Requirements

  • ✓Pathology confirmation of DLBCL from axillary node biopsy
  • ✓Documentation specifying axillary and/or upper limb lymph node involvement
  • ✓Laterality (right, left, bilateral)
  • ✓Node size measurement and rate of growth if applicable
  • ✓Imaging (CT, PET/CT) documenting extent of axillary disease

Commonly Confused Codes

  • •C83.14: Mantle cell lymphoma, axilla/upper limb; different subtype requiring pathology differentiation
  • •C83.04: Small cell B-cell lymphoma, axilla/upper limb; indolent lymphoma with different prognosis
  • •C83.31: DLBCL, head/face/neck; supraclavicular nodes belong to the cervical chain, not axillary
  • •C77.3: Secondary/unspecified malignant neoplasm of axillary lymph nodes; this is for metastatic disease, not primary lymphoma

Child Codes

C83.30Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, unspecified site
HCC 20
C83.31Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of head, face, and neck
HCC 20
C83.32Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, intrathoracic lymph nodes
HCC 20
C83.33Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, intra-abdominal lymph nodes
HCC 20
C83.34Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb
HCC 20
C83.35Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of inguinal region and lower limb
HCC 20
C83.36Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, intrapelvic lymph nodes
HCC 20
C83.37Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, spleen
HCC 20
C83.38Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of multiple sites
HCC 20
C83.39Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, extranodal and solid organ sites
C83.3ADiffuse large B-cell lymphoma, in remission
HCC 20

Code Hierarchy

└C83Non-follicular lymphoma└C83.3Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma└C83.34Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb
└C83.34Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, lymph nodes of axilla and upper limb

Also searched as

  • C83 34
  • C8334

For C83.34, 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.

C83.34 maps to CMS-HCC V28 category 20, Lung and Other Severe Cancers. See the ICD-10 to HCC mapping hub for how the V28 crosswalk works. The mapping identifies a payment HCC category for C83.34. 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 C83.34 in HCC Buddy

Open C83.34 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.

Open in Code BookOpen in EncoderStart Pro