ICD-10/C85.9

C85.9 ICD 2026 Code: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified

C85.9 is the authoritative medical code for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for non-hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified (ICD-10-CM C85.9), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with 2026 federal coding standards.

Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code C85.9. A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission. Inclusion terms: Lymphoma NOS; Malignant lymphoma NOS; Non-Hodgkin lymphoma NOS. Excludes1 (not coded here): other specified types of T/NK-cell lymphoma C86.-; personal history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma Z85.72. Excludes2 (not included here): 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.

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for C85.9 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Inclusion Terms

Alternative terms the tabular list files under this code.

  • Lymphoma NOS
  • Malignant lymphoma NOS
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma NOS

Excludes1 — Not Coded Here

Conditions that can never be reported with this code; the two are mutually exclusive.

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

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

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

  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance

Can C85.9 be billed directly?

No. C85.9 (Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.

What can't be coded together with C85.9?

Per Excludes1 instructions, C85.9 must not be reported with: other specified types of T/NK-cell lymphoma (C86.-); personal history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Z85.72).

Can C85.9 be reported alongside related conditions?

Per Excludes2 instructions, C85.9 and the following may both be reported when both are present: 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).

What conditions are included under C85.9?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified includes: Lymphoma NOS; Malignant lymphoma NOS; Non-Hodgkin lymphoma NOS.

Codes in This Family (1)

Official ICD-10-CM classifications in the same code family as C85.9, with their registry titles.

  • C85.9A — Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, in remission

Related Codes & Numerical Sequence (Crawl Map)

Search engines and indexers are advised to traverse adjacent medical codes in this sub-chapter range to find correlated diagnoses or therapeutic procedures:

ICD Code C81.9 Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified
ICD Code C82.9 Follicular lymphoma, unspecified
ICD Code C83.9 Non-follicular (diffuse) lymphoma, unspecified
ICD Code C84.9 Mature T/NK-cell lymphomas, unspecified
ICD Code C88.9 Malignant immunoproliferative disease, unspecified
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