D33.2

Billable

Benign neoplasm of brain, unspecified

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 23 — Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers

0.251

V24HCC 12 — Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors

0.150

ESRDHCC 12 — Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors

0.000

RxHCCHCC 22 — Cancer, Other Specified Sites

0.000

What This Code Means

A non-cancerous brain tumor when the specific location within the brain has not been determined or documented.

Coding Tips

•This is an unspecified code; attempt to obtain clarification on whether the tumor is supratentorial or infratentorial
•Use only when the provider documentation does not specify the anatomical location within the brain

Clinical Significance

Benign neoplasm of the brain, unspecified, is used when a benign brain tumor is documented but the specific location (supratentorial vs. infratentorial) is not specified in the medical record. This code represents an incomplete documentation scenario, as modern neuroimaging typically localizes brain tumors precisely. It may be appropriate during initial evaluation before definitive imaging is obtained.

Documentation Requirements

✓At minimum, documentation of a benign brain tumor from imaging or pathology is required.
✓Every effort should be made to determine whether the tumor is supratentorial (D33.0) or infratentorial (D33.1) by reviewing MRI reports.
✓Query the provider or radiologist if the location is not specified.
✓Document the clinical impact and management plan.

Commonly Confused Codes

D33.0 (supratentorial) and D33.1 (infratentorial) are preferred when location is specified D33.9 (benign CNS neoplasm, unspecified) is even less specific and covers the entire CNS D43.2 (brain, uncertain behavior) is for tumors where benign vs. malignant is unclear.

Code Hierarchy

└D33Benign neoplasm of brain and other parts of central nervous system └D33.2Benign neoplasm of brain, unspecified

└D33.2Benign neoplasm of brain, unspecified