C96.9 ICD-10-CM Code: Malignant neoplasm of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue, unspecified
C96.9 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 · free HCC coding tools
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)
C96.9
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceMalignant neoplasm of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue, unspecified
A cancer of the blood-forming and lymph tissues where the specific type has not been identified or documented.
Buddy Insight
This unspecified code represents a malignant neoplasm of lymphoid, hematopoietic, or related tissue where the specific histological type has not been identified.
CMS-HCC V28
MappedHCC 21
Coefficient HCC 21: 0.671 (Community Non-Dual Aged (CNA))
CMS-HCC V24
HistoricalHistorical
Not used for CY2026 payment
ACA/HHS
MappedHCC 010
Code-level coefficient reference
ESRD/PACE
MappedHCC 10
Code-level coefficient reference
RXHCC
MappedHCC 21
Code-level coefficient reference
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialNo inclusion terms are included in this display for C96.9. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
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
Includes
OfficialNo Includes notes are included in this display for C96.9. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 1
Official- personal history of other malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissues (Z85.79)Inherited from C96
Code First
OfficialNo Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for C96.9. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Use Additional
OfficialNo Use Additional Code instructions are included in this display for C96.9. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Code Also
OfficialNo Code Also instructions are included in this display for C96.9. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
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 C96.9 an HCC code?
Yes. C96.9 (Malignant neoplasm of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue, unspecified) 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: C96.9 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
- C96.9
- Description
- Malignant neoplasm of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue, unspecified
- HCC (V28)
- HCC 21 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers
- RAF reference coefficient
- 0.671
- Billable
- Yes
- Payment year
- 2026
HCC Category Mapping
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 C96.9 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →
MEAT review for C96.9
For C96.9, 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
C96.9 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant neoplasm of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue, unspecified. A cancer of the blood-forming and lymph tissues where the specific type has not been identified or documented. C96.9 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, C96.9 maps to Lymphoma and Other Cancers (HCC 21) with a source-labeled community, non-dual, aged reference coefficient of 0.671. No V24 mapping is shown for C96.9; use the applicable model and payment year when reviewing the V28 mapping. 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.
Use this code only when the specific type of lymphoid or hematopoietic malignancy cannot be determined from the medical record. For C96.9, 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 C96.9 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Use this code only when the specific type of lymphoid or hematopoietic malignancy cannot be determined from the medical record
- •Query the physician if more specific histology or subtype information is available to assign a more specific C96 code
Clinical Significance
This unspecified code represents a malignant neoplasm of lymphoid, hematopoietic, or related tissue where the specific histological type has not been identified. It typically reflects incomplete workup or pending pathology results, and its use should be temporary until a definitive diagnosis is established. Malignancies in this category carry variable prognoses depending on the ultimate subtype identified.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓This code should only be used when pathology results are pending or unavailable
- ✓once specific histology is obtained, the code should be updated to the appropriate specific diagnosis. Document the reason for unspecified status, any pending diagnostic studies, and the clinical presentation. Follow-up encounters should reflect updated pathology findings with a more specific code assignment.
Commonly Confused Codes
- •C96.Z (other specified malignant neoplasms of lymphoid/hematopoietic tissue) is used when the type is known but does not fit other specific categories
- •C96.A (histiocytic sarcoma) and C96.5/C96.6 (Langerhans-cell histiocytosis variants) should be used when specific subtypes are confirmed. C85.9 (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified) may be more appropriate if lymphoma is suspected.