ICD-10 C09.9
Billable / Specific HCC v28: 11Malignant neoplasm of tonsil, unspecified
About ICD-10-CM C09.9
ICD-10-CM code C09.9 represents Malignant neoplasm of tonsil, unspecified. This is a billable/specific code in the Neoplasms chapter (block C09). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM C09.9 became effective on October 1, 2025.
Coding Tips for C09.9
Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.
C09.9 is a CMS-HCC v28 risk-adjustment code (category 11). To count for the patient Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF), document the diagnosis with MEAT language each calendar year: Monitored, Evaluated, Assessed, Treated. A diagnosis on the problem list alone does not satisfy CMS RADV audit standards. Include the diagnosis in the assessment with current status and current treatment plan.
Inclusion Terms / Approximate Synonyms
Clinical terms and conditions classified under C09.9. Per CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular 2026.
- Malignant neoplasm of tonsil NOS
- Malignant neoplasm of faucial tonsils
- Malignant neoplasm of palatine tonsils
Medicare Advantage HCC Impact
Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate risk adjustment. Missed HCC captures are the #1 revenue leak in Medicare Advantage risk programs.
Medicare LCD Coverage for C09.9
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list C09.9 as a covered diagnosis.
Showing top 10 of 709 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing C09.9.
1 Cigna
5 Medicare
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with C09.9
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
- 63621 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) CMS LCD
- 61800 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) CMS LCD
- 77373 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) CMS LCD
- G0339 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) CMS LCD
- 77372 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) CMS LCD
- G0563 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) CMS LCD
- 77435 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) CMS LCD
- 77371 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) CMS LCD
- G0340 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) CMS LCD
- 61798 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) CMS LCD
Convert C09.9 to ICD-9-CM
Per CMS General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.
| ICD-10 | ICD-9 | Mapping Flags |
|---|---|---|
| C09.9 | 1460 | 10000 |
Flags format (5 digits): Approximate · No Map · Combination · Scenario · Choice List. Source: CMS 2017 GEMs (final version).
Codes Adjacent To C09.9
Other codes in section C00-C14 (Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx).
ICD-10 C09.9, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code C09.9 billable? +
Yes, C09.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can appear as a primary or secondary diagnosis on claims.
What other names or terms map to C09.9? +
ICD-10 C09.9 includes: Malignant neoplasm of tonsil NOS; Malignant neoplasm of faucial tonsils; Malignant neoplasm of palatine tonsils.
Does C09.9 affect Medicare Advantage HCC risk adjustment? +
Yes. C09.9 maps to CMS-HCC v28 category 11. Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate Medicare Advantage risk score.
What CPT codes are commonly billed with C09.9? +
Procedures frequently paired with C09.9 include: 63621, 61800, 77373, G0339, 77372.
What ICD-9 codes does C09.9 map to? +
Per CMS GEMs, C09.9 maps to ICD-9 codes: 1460. Useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.
Get the full PayerReady toolkit
Free access to CPT/ICD-10 lookup, denial appeals, fee comparator, and claim auditing with credentialing enrollment.
Start free →Run this code through our claim audit tool
Check NCCI bundling, MUE limits, and modifier logic before submission.
Try the auditor →Did this page help?
Quick signal so we know what to improve.
If you want a code reference page that doesn't exist yet, email coding@payerready.com.
Tell us what's missing or wrong: coding@payerready.com. We respond within 5 business days.
Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on June 1, 2026.
Powered by 11K CPT · 98K ICD-10 · 860K MPFS rates · 4.5M NCCI edits · 9.5M NPIs. Our data methodology · About our coding team