ICD-10-CM 2026 · Effective October 1, 2025

ICD-10 D44.6

Billable / Specific HCC v28: 12

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body

D44
Block
0
Synonyms
234
LCDs
22
Payer Policies
8
Linked CPTs

About ICD-10-CM D44.6

ICD-10-CM code D44.6 represents Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body. This is a billable/specific code in the Neoplasms chapter (block D44). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM D44.6 became effective on October 1, 2025.

Coding Tips for D44.6

Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.

HCC capture: document with MEAT each year

D44.6 is a CMS-HCC v28 risk-adjustment code (category 12). 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.

Medicare Advantage HCC Impact

CMS-HCC v28 (current)
Category 12
ESRD-HCC
Category 12
RxHCC (Part D)
Category 12

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 D44.6

Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list D44.6 as a covered diagnosis.

234 LCDs

Showing top 10 of 234 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.

CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies
Article ID: 59350, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 757 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 77402 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies
Article ID: 59350, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 757 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 77371 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies
Article ID: 59350, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 757 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 61797 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies
Article ID: 59350, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 757 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT G0339 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies
Article ID: 59350, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 757 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 77338 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies
Article ID: 59350, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 757 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 77432 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies
Article ID: 59350, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 757 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 61800 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies
Article ID: 59350, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 757 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 77372 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies
Article ID: 59350, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 757 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 77435 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Radiation Therapies
Article ID: 59350, Effective: 2026-01-01 00:00:00, 757 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 77407 →

Commercial Payer Coverage

Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing D44.6.

22 policies

1 Cigna

Duplex Scan of Extracranial Arteries - (0542)
Policy ID: MM_0542

5 Medicare

Oral Antiemetic Drugs (Replacement for Intravenous Antiemetics) - Policy Article
Policy ID: ART-52480
Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Cerebrovascular Arterial Studies
Policy ID: ART-52992
Billing and Coding: Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESA)
Policy ID: ART-56462
Billing and Coding: Computerized Axial Tomography (CT), Thorax
Policy ID: ART-56580
Billing and Coding: CT of the Head
Policy ID: ART-56612

CPT Codes Commonly Billed with D44.6

Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.

8 linkages
  • 95926 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Somatosensory Testing CMS LCD
  • 95925 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Somatosensory Testing CMS LCD
  • 95938 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Somatosensory Testing CMS LCD
  • 95927 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Somatosensory Testing CMS LCD
  • 95940 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing CMS LCD
  • G0453 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing CMS LCD
  • 93882 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Cerebrovascular Arterial Studies CMS LCD
  • 95941 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Testing CMS LCD

Convert D44.6 to ICD-9-CM

Per CMS General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.

ICD-10ICD-9Mapping Flags
D44.6 2373 10000

Flags format (5 digits): Approximate · No Map · Combination · Scenario · Choice List. Source: CMS 2017 GEMs (final version).

ICD-10 D44.6, Billing FAQ

Is ICD-10 code D44.6 billable? +

Yes, D44.6 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can appear as a primary or secondary diagnosis on claims.

Does D44.6 affect Medicare Advantage HCC risk adjustment? +

Yes. D44.6 maps to CMS-HCC v28 category 12. Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate Medicare Advantage risk score.

What CPT codes are commonly billed with D44.6? +

Procedures frequently paired with D44.6 include: 95926, 95925, 95938, 95927, 95940.

What ICD-9 codes does D44.6 map to? +

Per CMS GEMs, D44.6 maps to ICD-9 codes: 2373. Useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.

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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team

Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.

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