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D38.1 ICD-10-CM Code: Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung

D38.1 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC Buddy coding tools

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FY 2026 Apr update / Neoplasms (C00-D49) / Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes (D37-D48)

D38.1

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

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung

A growth in the windpipe, airways, or lungs that cannot yet be determined to be cancer or benign. These tumors require close follow-up and possibly repeat testing.

CMS-HCC V28

N/A

Not mapped

CMS-HCC V24

Historical

Historical

Not used for CY2026 payment

ACA/HHS

N/A

Not mapped

ESRD/PACE

N/A

Not mapped

RXHCC

N/A

Not mapped

Code Book Path

Official
D38Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs
D38.1Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung

Inclusion Terms

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list inclusion terms for D38.1 in this effective period.

Excludes 2

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for D38.1 in this effective period.

Related Child Codes

Official
D38.0Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx
D38.2Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pleura
D38.3Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of mediastinum
D38.4Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of thymus
D38.5Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other respiratory organs

Includes

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for D38.1 in this effective period.

Excludes 1

Official
  • neoplasm of uncertain behavior of heart (D48.7)

Code First

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for D38.1 in this effective period.

Use Additional

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for D38.1 in this effective period.

Code Also

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for D38.1 in this effective period.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance
This code is commonly used for pulmonary nodules with uncertain pathology; ensure imaging findings are documented
Distinguish between central airway lesions (trachea/bronchus) and peripheral lung lesions in clinical notes

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 D38.1 an HCC code?

No. D38.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM code with no mapping under the CMS-HCC V28 or V24 community payment models, and none under the ESRD, Part D RxHCC, or HHS-HCC models.

Code
D38.1
Description
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung
HCC (V28)
No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
RAF reference coefficient
Billable
Yes
Payment year
2026

Coder workflow notes

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This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).

What This Code Means

D38.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung. A growth in the windpipe, airways, or lungs that cannot yet be determined to be cancer or benign. These tumors require close follow-up and possibly repeat testing. D38.1 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for neoplasms (c00-d49), within the section covering neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes (d37-d48).

D38.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM code, but the current payload does not show a mapping under the CMS-HCC V28 or V24 community payment models, and none under the ESRD, Part D RxHCC, or HHS-HCC models. Do not assign risk adjustment value from this page when no source-backed mapping is shown; verify the applicable model and payment year.

This code is commonly used for pulmonary nodules with uncertain pathology; ensure imaging findings are documented.

HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for D38.1 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

  • This code is commonly used for pulmonary nodules with uncertain pathology; ensure imaging findings are documented
  • Distinguish between central airway lesions (trachea/bronchus) and peripheral lung lesions in clinical notes

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

Work D38.1 in HCC Buddy

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