2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C44.02Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C43-C44›C44
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
C44.02 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 11 through 13, 606 through 607. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Skin cancers - squamous cell carcinoma.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Malignant neoplasm of commissure of lips
- Neoplasm of commissure of lip
- Primary malignant neoplasm of commissure of lip
- Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of lip
- Primary squamous cell carcinoma of commissure of lip
- Primary squamous cell carcinoma of lip
- Primary squamous cell carcinoma of skin of head and/or neck
- Primary squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip
- Squamous cell carcinoma of lip
- Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lower lip
- Squamous cell carcinoma of skin of upper lip
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Table of NeoplasmsClinical
Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.
| Site | Malig. Primary | Malig. Secondary | Ca in situ | Benign | Uncertain | Unspec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| lip › skin (commissure) (lower) (upper) › squamous cell carcinoma | C44.02 | – | – | – | – | – |
| skin NOS › lip (lower) (upper) › squamous cell carcinoma | C44.02 | – | – | – | – | – |
Patient EducationClinical
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.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert C44.02 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About C44.02Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip?
The ICD-10-CM code for squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip is C44.02 (sometimes written as C4402). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Is C44.02 (Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of lip) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does C44.02 group to?
When squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 11, 12, 13, 606, 607, with relative weights from 0.9064 to 5.4541 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of C44.02?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, squamous cell carcinoma of skin of lip converts to ICD-9-CM 173.02 (squamous cell ca skn lip). The mapping is a direct match.
