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Compare/C09 vs C10

C09 vs C10

C09 (Malignant neoplasm of tonsil) compared with C10 (Malignant neoplasm of oropharynx), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).

Can these codes be reported together?

Yes, when both are documented. C10 carries an Excludes2 note covering C09: “malignant neoplasm of tonsil (C09.-)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Side by side

C09Malignant neoplasm of tonsilC10Malignant neoplasm of oropharynx
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: C09.0, C09.1, C09.8, C09.9

Non-billable header

Report instead: C10.0, C10.1, C10.2, C10.3, C10.4

ClassificationC00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49)C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49)
DefinitionMalignant neoplasm of tonsil is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (C09).Malignant neoplasm of oropharynx is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (C10).
Use additional code
code to identify:
alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
code to identify:
alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
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Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources