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ICD-10/C02.0

C02.0 ICD-10-CM Code: Malignant neoplasm of dorsal surface of tongue

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v43.0, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 011 — TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITH MCC (MDC PRE)
  • MS-DRG 012 — TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITH CC (MDC PRE)
  • MS-DRG 013 — TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC PRE)
  • MS-DRG 146 — EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT MALIGNANCY WITH MCC (MDC 03)
  • MS-DRG 147 — EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT MALIGNANCY WITH CC (MDC 03)
  • MS-DRG 148 — EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT MALIGNANCY WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 03)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Risk Adjustment (CMS-HCC)

Payment categories this diagnosis maps to under CMS-HCC V28, payment year 2026.

  • HCC 21 — Lymphoma and Other Cancers (supersedes HCC 22, HCC 23)

Other models: CMS-HCC V22 HCC 11 · RxHCC V08 HCC 22

Risk scores depend on the enrollee's full accepted diagnosis set and segment; a category mapping alone does not determine payment.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

Malignant neoplasm of dorsal surface of tongue is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (C02.0).

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for C02.0 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Inclusion Terms

Alternative terms the tabular list files under this code.

  • Malignant neoplasm of anterior two-thirds of tongue, dorsal surface

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

Use Additional Code

Supplementary codes the tabular list directs you to add.

  • Use additional code to identify:
  • alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)

Change history

No changes recorded for this code — unchanged since the FY2016 baseline of the change ledger.

Verify Before Coding

  • Billable — reportable as written.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim.

Relationships & Classification

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):NEO002 — Head and neck cancers - lip and oral cavity (default).

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Potential MS-DRG Relationships (FY2026)

Not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity.

Named in the grouper logic of 6 MS-DRGs: DRG 011 (MDC PRE), DRG 012 (MDC PRE), DRG 013 (MDC PRE), DRG 146 (MDC 03), DRG 147 (MDC 03), DRG 148 (MDC 03).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to C02.0 in its code family, with their registry titles.

  • C02 — Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of tongue
  • C02.1 — Malignant neoplasm of border of tongue
  • C02.2 — Malignant neoplasm of ventral surface of tongue
  • C02.3 — Malignant neoplasm of anterior two-thirds of tongue, part unspecified
  • C02.4 — Malignant neoplasm of lingual tonsil
  • C02.8 — Malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of tongue
  • C02.9 — Malignant neoplasm of tongue, unspecified

View all codes in the C02 family

Neoplasm Table Sites (5)

Anatomical sites from the official ICD-10-CM Table of Neoplasms that map to this code, with the matching behavior column.

  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, tongue, anterior NEC (two-thirds), dorsal surface — Malignant, Primary
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, tongue, dorsal surface NEC — Malignant, Primary
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, tongue, foreamen cecum — Malignant, Primary
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, tongue, midline NEC — Malignant, Primary
  • Neoplasm, neoplastic, tongue, surface (dorsal) — Malignant, Primary