2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C44.6

Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of upper limb, including shoulder

ICD-10-CM Code:
C44.6
ICD-10 Code for:
Oth and unsp malig neoplasm skin/ upper limb, inc shoulder
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin
      (C43-C44)
      • Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin
        (C44)

C44.6 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of upper limb, including shoulder. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like C44.6 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Oth and unsp malig neoplasm skin/ upper limb, inc shoulder

Non-specific codes like C44.6 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for oth and unsp malig neoplasm skin/ upper limb, inc shoulder:

  • C44.60 for Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of upper limb, including shoulder - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.601 for Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.602 for Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.609 for Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of left upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • C44.61 for Basal cell carcinoma of skin of upper limb, including shoulder - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.611 for Basal cell carcinoma of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.612 for Basal cell carcinoma of skin of right upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.619 for Basal cell carcinoma of skin of left upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • C44.62 for Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of upper limb, including shoulder - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.621 for Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.622 for Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of right upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.629 for Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of left upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • C44.69 for Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of upper limb, including shoulder - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.691 for Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of unspecified upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.692 for Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of right upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C44.699 for Other specified malignant neoplasm of skin of left upper limb, including shoulder - BILLABLE CODE

Patient Education


Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who :

  • Spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned
  • Have light-colored skin, hair and eyes
  • Have a family member with skin cancer
  • Are over age 50

You should have your doctor check any suspicious skin markings and any changes in the way your skin looks. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and biologic therapy. PDT uses a drug and a type of laser light to kill cancer cells. Biologic therapy boosts your body's own ability to fight cancer.

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.