2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C43.70Malignant melanoma of unspecified lower limb, including hip

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C43-C44›C43

ICD-10-CM C43.70
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

C43.70 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for malignant melanoma of unspecified lower limb, including hip. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 595 through 596. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Skin cancers - melanoma.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C43.70
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Malignant melanoma of unspecified lower limb, including hip
Short Description
Malignant melanoma of unspecified lower limb, including hip
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
C43.7
Malignant melanoma of lower limb, including hip

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC43-C44Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin
CategoryC43Malignant melanoma of skin
This CodeC43.70Malignant melanoma of unspecified lower limb, including hip

Quality Payment Program MeasuresBilling

Medicare quality measures that can apply when C43.70 is part of the patient record.

Melanoma Reporting

High Priority: YES

Measure Type: Process

Submission Methods: Claims, Registry

Description: Pathology reports for primary malignant cutaneous melanoma that include the pT category, thickness, ulceration and mitotic rate, peripheral and deep margin status and presence or absence of microsatellitosis for invasive tumors.

View Measure

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Malignant melanoma of ankle
  • Malignant melanoma of foot
  • Malignant melanoma of hip
  • Malignant melanoma of knee
  • Malignant melanoma of lower leg
  • Malignant melanoma of popliteal fossa area
  • Malignant melanoma of skin of ankle
  • Malignant melanoma of skin of foot
  • Malignant melanoma of skin of hip
  • Malignant melanoma of skin of knee
  • Malignant melanoma of skin of lower leg
  • Malignant melanoma of skin of lower limb
  • Malignant melanoma of skin of popliteal area
  • Malignant melanoma of skin of thigh
  • Malignant melanoma of skin of toe
  • Malignant melanoma of thigh
  • Malignant melanoma of toe
  • Malignant neoplasm of skin of lower leg
  • Malignant neoplasm of skin of popliteal fossa area
  • Malignant neoplasm of soft tissue of toe
  • Neoplasm of skin of ankle
  • Neoplasm of skin of lower leg
  • Neoplasm of skin of popliteal area
  • Neoplasm of skin of thigh
  • Neoplasm of skin of toe

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NEO025
Skin cancers - melanoma
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole. Most melanomas have a black or black-blue area. Melanoma may also appear as a new mole. It may be black, abnormal, or "ugly looking."

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert C43.70 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
172.7 Malig melanoma leg
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About C43.70Overview

Is C43.70 (Malignant melanoma of lower limb, including hip) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report malignant melanoma of unspecified lower limb, including hip on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does C43.70 group to?

When malignant melanoma of unspecified lower limb, including hip is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 595, 596, with relative weights from 1.0825 to 2.1207 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of C43.70?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, malignant melanoma of unspecified lower limb, including hip converts to ICD-9-CM 172.7 (malig melanoma leg). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.