D44.3 ICD-10-CM Code: Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland
D44.3 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 · 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) / Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes (D37-D48)
D44.3
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceNeoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland
A tumor of the pituitary gland (small gland at the base of the brain) that cannot yet be classified as definitely benign or malignant.
Buddy Insight
Neoplasms of uncertain behavior of the pituitary gland include atypical pituitary adenomas with features that prevent definitive benign or malignant classification.
CMS-HCC V28
MappedHCC 23
Coefficient HCC 23: 0.186 (Community Non-Dual Aged (CNA))
CMS-HCC V24
HistoricalHistorical
Not used for CY2026 payment
ACA/HHS
MappedHCC 012
Code-level coefficient reference
ESRD/PACE
MappedHCC 12
Code-level coefficient reference
RXHCC
MappedHCC 22
Code-level coefficient reference
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialNo inclusion terms are included in this display for D44.3. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 2
OfficialNo Excludes 2 notes are included in this display for D44.3. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Related Codes
Includes
OfficialNo Includes notes are included in this display for D44.3. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 1
Official- neoplasms of unspecified behavior (D49.-)Inherited from D37-D48, D44
- multiple endocrine adenomatosis (E31.2-)Inherited from D37-D48, D44
- multiple endocrine neoplasia (E31.2-)Inherited from D37-D48, D44
- neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine pancreas (D37.8)Inherited from D37-D48, D44
- neoplasm of uncertain behavior of ovary (D39.1-)Inherited from D37-D48, D44
- neoplasm of uncertain behavior of testis (D40.1-)Inherited from D37-D48, D44
- neoplasm of uncertain behavior of thymus (D38.4)Inherited from D37-D48, D44
Code First
OfficialNo Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for D44.3. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Use Additional
Official- code to identify any functional activity.
Code Also
OfficialNo Code Also instructions are included in this display for D44.3. 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 D44.3 an HCC code?
Yes. D44.3 (Neoplasm of uncertain behavior 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: D44.3 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
- D44.3
- Description
- Neoplasm of uncertain behavior 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
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 D44.3 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →
MEAT review for D44.3
For D44.3, 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
D44.3 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pituitary gland. A tumor of the pituitary gland (small gland at the base of the brain) that cannot yet be classified as definitely benign or malignant. D44.3 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).
Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, D44.3 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 D44.3; 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.
Document functional status if known (hormone-secreting vs. non-functional). For D44.3, 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 D44.3 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Document functional status if known (hormone-secreting vs. non-functional)
- •Coordinate with endocrinology notes and imaging to support uncertain behavior classification
Clinical Significance
Neoplasms of uncertain behavior of the pituitary gland include atypical pituitary adenomas with features that prevent definitive benign or malignant classification. These tumors can cause significant endocrine dysfunction through hormone hypersecretion (acromegaly, Cushing disease, hyperprolactinemia) or hypopituitarism from mass effect on normal pituitary tissue.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation must specify the pituitary gland location, supported by sellar magnetic resonance imaging and pathology.
- ✓Functional status (hormone-secreting versus non-functional) should be documented along with relevant hormone levels.
- ✓Pathology should describe atypical features including elevated Ki-67 index, mitotic activity, or p53 expression that support uncertain behavior.
Use Additional Code
- code to identify any functional activity.
Commonly Confused Codes
- •D35.2 (benign neoplasm of pituitary gland) is used for typical pituitary adenomas with benign behavior.
- •C75.1 (malignant neoplasm of pituitary gland) is used for pituitary carcinomas.
- •D44.4 (uncertain behavior of craniopharyngeal duct) involves a different sellar structure.
- •E22.0 (acromegaly) or E24.0 (Cushing disease) may be coded additionally for hormonal effects.