C85.9A

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of unspecified type that is currently in remission with no active disease.

Coding Tips

• •The 'A' suffix indicates remission status; ensure clinical documentation explicitly states the patient is in remission
• •This code is appropriate when the specific NHL subtype cannot be determined but remission status is documented

Clinical Significance

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of unspecified type in remission indicates the patient has a history of NHL that has responded to treatment with no currently detectable active disease. Remission status still requires ongoing surveillance due to risk of relapse, and the diagnosis continues to impact the patient's care plan and comorbidity profile. Even in remission, patients may experience long-term treatment-related complications.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓The provider must explicitly state remission status in the clinical documentation
• ✓it cannot be inferred from treatment completion alone. Documentation should include the basis for remission determination (imaging, lab results, clinical assessment), surveillance plan, and any treatment-related sequelae being monitored.

Commonly Confused Codes