C15.4 — Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus
Is C15.4 billable?
Yes — C15.4 is billable for FY2027. C15.4 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. C15.4 may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
C15.4 at a glance
| Code | C15.4 |
|---|---|
| Description | Malignant neoplasm of middle third of esophagus |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
Which MS-DRGs does C15.4 group to?
C15.4 sits in MDC 06 and helps define the logic of 3 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 374Digestive Malignancy with MCCmedical
- 375Digestive Malignancy with CCmedical
- 376Digestive Malignancy without CC/MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, C15.4 is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from C15-C26
The conditions below can never be reported together with C15.4 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- Kaposi's sarcoma of gastrointestinal sites (C46.4)
Use additional code — inherited from C15
Report an additional code alongside C15.4 to fully describe the condition. C15.4 is sequenced first.
- code to identify:
- alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from C15-C26
The conditions below are not part of C15.4, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, C15.4 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- gastrointestinal stromal tumors (C49.A-)
How long has C15.4 existed?
C15.4 has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.