C85.96 — Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, intrapelvic lymph nodes

BillableUnspecifiedCC

Is C85.96 billable?

Yes, but C85.96 is an unspecified code. C85.96 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, C85.96 is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting C85.96 — the more specific alternatives are listed below.

More specific alternatives

C85.96 at a glance

Code	C85.96
Description	Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, intrapelvic lymph nodes
Billable	Yes
Code set	ICD-10-CM FY2027
Valid for encounters	October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027

Which MS-DRGs does C85.96 group to?

C85.96 sits in MDC 17 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.

820Lymphoma and Leukemia with Major O.R. Procedures with MCCsurgical
821Lymphoma and Leukemia with Major O.R. Procedures with CCsurgical
822Lymphoma and Leukemia with Major O.R. Procedures without CC/MCCsurgical

As a secondary diagnosis, C85.96 is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.

How is C85.96 listed in the Alphabetic Index?

The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under C85.9, the nearest indexed parent of C85.96. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.

Germinoblastoma (diffuse)
Leukosarcoma
Lymphosarcoma (diffuse)
Lymphoma › histiocytic (of) (malignant)
Lymphoma › non-Hodgkin (of) (malignant)
Disorder › tubulo-interstitial › lymphoma NEC (of)

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from C85

The conditions below can never be reported together with C85.96 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.

other specified types of T/NK-cell lymphoma (C86.-)
personal history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Z85.72)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from C81-C96

The conditions below are not part of C85.96, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, C85.96 and the excluded code may both be reported.

Kaposi's sarcoma of lymph nodes (C46.3)
secondary and unspecified neoplasm of lymph nodes (C77.-)
secondary neoplasm of bone marrow (C79.52)
secondary neoplasm of spleen (C78.89)

How long has C85.96 existed?

C85.96 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.