What is ICD-10 code D35.2?

D35.2 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Benign neoplasm of pituitary gland. A noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain that controls many hormones in the body. It belongs to the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49). D35.2 is a billable code, meaning it can be reported on a claim as a primary or secondary diagnosis when supported by documentation. D35.2 is part of the FY2026 ICD-10-CM code set published by the CMS National Center for Health Statistics and used on Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial claims in the United States.

Yes. D35.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can be reported on professional and institutional claims as a primary or secondary diagnosis when the provider documentation supports the specific condition described. Billable codes in ICD-10-CM are coded to the highest level of specificity available for the documented diagnosis. D35.2 is current for fiscal year 2026 and remains in the active CMS ICD-10-CM code set published by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Which HCC does D35.2 map to under V28?

D35.2 maps to CMS-HCC V28 HCC 23 (Prostate, Breast, and Other Cancers and Tumors). The category numbers, labels, and conditions come from the CMS-HCC V28 model file for payment year 2026.

2026 ICD-10-CM D35.2: Benign neoplasm of pituitary

D35.2 maps to CMS-HCC V28 23. A source-labeled RAF reference is available. Confirm the documented diagnosis and applicable coding requirements. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC coding software

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Code lookupD35.2

Effective periodFY2026 Apr Update (Apr 1-Sep 30)

FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Benign neoplasms, except benign neuroendocrine tumors (D10-D36)

D35.2

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

Benign neoplasm of pituitary gland

A noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain that controls many hormones in the body.

Buddy Insight

Benign neoplasm of the pituitary gland, most commonly a pituitary adenoma, is the most prevalent intracranial tumor type, found incidentally in up to 20% of brain imaging studies.

Overview Risk Models Code Book Documentation Audit Notes Edition comparison

CMS-HCC V28

Mapped

HCC 23

Prostate, Breast, and Other C...

Code-level coefficient reference

CMS-HCC V24

Historical

Not used for standard CY2026 Medicare Advantage payment. Select a historical period to review V24.

Not used for CY2026 payment

ACA/HHS

Mapped

HCC 012

HHS-HCC 012 adult, RAF varies...

Code-level coefficient reference

ESRD/PACE

Mapped

HCC 12

Breast/Prostate/and Other Can...

Code-level coefficient reference

RXHCC

Mapped

HCC 22

Prostate, Breast, Bladder, an...

Code-level coefficient reference

Code Book Path

Official

D35Benign neoplasm of other and unspecified endocrine glands D35.2Benign neoplasm of pituitary gland

Inclusion Terms

Official

No inclusion terms are included in this display for D35.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Excludes 2

Official

No Excludes 2 notes are included in this display for D35.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Related Codes

Official

D35.0Benign neoplasm of adrenal gland D35.1Benign neoplasm of parathyroid gland D35.3Benign neoplasm of craniopharyngeal duct D35.4Benign neoplasm of pineal gland D35.5Benign neoplasm of carotid body

Includes

Official

No Includes notes are included in this display for D35.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Excludes 1

Official

benign neoplasm of endocrine pancreas (D13.7)Inherited from D35
benign neoplasm of ovary (D27.-)Inherited from D35
benign neoplasm of testis (D29.2.-)Inherited from D35
benign neoplasm of thymus (D15.0)Inherited from D35

Code First

Official

No Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for D35.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Use Additional

Official

code to identify any functional activityInherited from D35

Code Also

Official

No Code Also instructions are included in this display for D35.2. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance

MRI of the sella turcica documenting the pituitary lesion with size classification (microadenoma less than 10mm vs.

macroadenoma 10mm or greater).

Comprehensive hormonal evaluation including prolactin, growth hormone, IGF-1, ACTH, cortisol, TSH, and gonadotropins should be documented.

Visual field testing results for macroadenomas approaching the optic chiasm are essential.

MEAT Support

HCC Buddy guidance

MRI of the sella turcica documenting the pituitary lesion with size classification (microadenoma less than 10mm vs.

macroadenoma 10mm or greater).

Comprehensive hormonal evaluation including prolactin, growth hormone, IGF-1, ACTH, cortisol, TSH, and gonadotropins should be documented.

Visual field testing results for macroadenomas approaching the optic chiasm are essential.

Audit Caution

HCC Buddy guidance

If the pituitary adenoma causes a hormonal syndrome, code both the neoplasm and the endocrine disorder (e.g., E22.0 for acromegaly).

Incidental microadenomas found on imaging still require coding if documented.

Do not confuse with Rathke cleft cysts, which are non-neoplastic.

Post-treatment residual adenoma should continue to be coded as active neoplasm.

Common Mistakes

HCC Buddy guidance

D35.3 (craniopharyngeal duct) is for craniopharyngiomas, which are distinct peri-sellar tumors

D44.3 (pituitary, uncertain behavior) is for atypical pituitary adenomas

C75.1 (malignant neoplasm of pituitary) is for pituitary carcinomas, which are extremely rare

E23.6 (other disorders of pituitary gland) is for functional abnormalities without tumor.

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 D35.2 an HCC code?

Yes. D35.2 (Benign neoplasm of pituitary gland) maps to HCC 23, Prostate, Breast, and Other Cancers and Tumors under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, with a source-labeled community non-dual aged reference coefficient of 0.186. 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: D35.2 is billable and maps to V28 HCC 23, Prostate, Breast, and Other Cancers and Tumors. Open it in the Code Book for the tabular path, RAF, and MEAT checklist.

Code: D35.2
Description: Benign neoplasm of pituitary gland
HCC (V28): HCC 23 — Prostate, Breast, and Other Cancers and Tumors
RAF reference coefficient: 0.186
Billable: Yes
Payment year: 2026

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 23, Prostate, Breast, and Other Cancers and Tumors

0.186

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

Not separately weighted

RxHCCHCC 22, Prostate, Breast, Bladder, and Other Cancers and Tumors

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 D35.2 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →

MEAT review for D35.2

For D35.2, 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

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What This Code Means

D35.2 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for benign neoplasm of pituitary gland. A noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain that controls many hormones in the body. D35.2 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49), within the section covering benign neoplasms, except benign neuroendocrine tumors (d10-d36).

Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, D35.2 maps to Prostate, Breast, and Other Cancers and Tumors (HCC 23) with a source-labeled community, non-dual, aged reference coefficient of 0.186. No V24 mapping is shown for D35.2; 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.

Pituitary adenomas are the most common benign brain tumor; confirm benign status and document any hormone-secreting properties. For D35.2, 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 D35.2 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

•Pituitary adenomas are the most common benign brain tumor; confirm benign status and document any hormone-secreting properties
•Note whether the tumor is functioning (hormone-secreting) or non-functioning, as this may affect clinical management

Clinical Significance

Benign neoplasm of the pituitary gland, most commonly a pituitary adenoma, is the most prevalent intracranial tumor type, found incidentally in up to 20% of brain imaging studies. These tumors may be functioning (hormone-secreting, causing syndromes like acromegaly, Cushing disease, or prolactinoma) or non-functioning. Their clinical significance depends on size, hormone production, and compression of adjacent structures like the optic chiasm.

Documentation Requirements

✓MRI of the sella turcica documenting the pituitary lesion with size classification (microadenoma less than 10mm vs.
✓macroadenoma 10mm or greater).
✓Comprehensive hormonal evaluation including prolactin, growth hormone, IGF-1, ACTH, cortisol, TSH, and gonadotropins should be documented.
✓Visual field testing results for macroadenomas approaching the optic chiasm are essential.
✓Note whether the adenoma is functioning or non-functioning.

Commonly Confused Codes

•D35.3 (craniopharyngeal duct) is for craniopharyngiomas, which are distinct peri-sellar tumors
•D44.3 (pituitary, uncertain behavior) is for atypical pituitary adenomas
•C75.1 (malignant neoplasm of pituitary) is for pituitary carcinomas, which are extremely rare
•E23.6 (other disorders of pituitary gland) is for functional abnormalities without tumor.