D44.5
BillableNeoplasm of uncertain behavior of pineal gland
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026) | CMS-HCC V28 (100% phase-in, PY2026)
Is D44.5 an HCC code?
Yes. D44.5 maps to Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model (and Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors under V24).
HCC Category Mapping
RAF weights shown are the community, non-dual, aged base weights from the CMS risk adjustment model file. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member segment, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains in use during the transition and for historical data.
MEAT Criteria for D44.5
For D44.5 to count as a valid HCC diagnosis in a given encounter, the provider's documentation must show MEAT: Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat. A diagnosis from a prior year does not carry forward automatically — it has to be re-documented and supported each calendar year.
- 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
Only one of M/E/A/T is required to support the code, but the documentation must be specific enough to show that the provider actually addressed D44.5 during that encounter — not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.
What This Code Means
D44.5 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pineal gland. A tumor of the pineal gland (a small gland in the brain) that cannot yet be classified as definitely benign or malignant. D44.5 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, D44.5 maps to Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers (HCC 23) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.251. Under the older CMS-HCC V24 model, D44.5 maps to Breast, Prostate, and Other Cancers and Tumors (HCC 12) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.150. V28 is the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model that reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition.
Document any hormonal symptoms or melatonin-related findings if present. Because D44.5 maps to a payment HCC, the provider's documentation must satisfy MEAT criteria (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) for the encounter to count toward the patient's Medicare Advantage risk adjustment score. 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, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for D44.5 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Document any hormonal symptoms or melatonin-related findings if present
- •Ensure pathology report confirms uncertain behavior classification before coding
Clinical Significance
Neoplasms of uncertain behavior of the pineal gland include tumors such as pineocytomas with atypical features or pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation. These tumors can cause obstructive hydrocephalus by compressing the cerebral aqueduct and may present with Parinaud syndrome (upgaze paralysis) due to tectal compression.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation must specify the pineal gland location, supported by brain magnetic resonance imaging showing a pineal region mass.
- ✓Pathology should describe histological features supporting uncertain behavior.
- ✓Document any signs of obstructive hydrocephalus, visual symptoms, or endocrine disturbances (precocious puberty in children).