2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C44.202Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right ear and external auricular canal

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C43-C44›C44

ICD-10-CM C44.202
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

C44.202 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right ear and external auricular canal. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 606 through 607. Coders also document this condition as primary malignant neoplasm of skin of ear. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Skin cancers - all other types.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C44.202
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right ear and external auricular canal
Short Description
Unsp malig neoplasm skin/ right ear and external auric canal
Parent Code
C44.20
Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of ear and external auricular canal

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC43-C44Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin
CategoryC44Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin
This CodeC44.202Unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right ear and external auricular canal

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of ear
  • Primary malignant neoplasm of skin of right ear

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR NEO028
Skin cancers - all other types
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Table of NeoplasmsClinical

Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.

SiteMalig.
Primary		Malig.
Secondary		Ca
in situ		BenignUncertainUnspec.
auditoryC44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
auditory › canal (external) (skin)C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
auricle, ear [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
auricular canal (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
canal › auditory (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
canal › auricular (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
concha [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › auricle or auris [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › canal, external [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › external meatus [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › lobule [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › skinC44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
earlobeC44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
externalC44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
external › meatus (ear) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
helix [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
meatus external (ear) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
pinna (ear) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › auditory canal (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › auricle (ear) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › auricular canal (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › concha [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › ear (external)C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › helix [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › meatus, acoustic (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › pinna [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
skin NOS › tragus [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2
tragus [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]C44.20C79.2D04.2D23.2D48.5D49.2

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 C44.202 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
173.20 Malig neo skin ear NOS
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 C44.202Overview

Is C44.202 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right ear and external auricular canal on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does C44.202 group to?

When unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right ear and external auricular canal is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 606, 607, with relative weights from 0.9064 to 1.5132 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of C44.202?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of right ear and external auricular canal converts to ICD-9-CM 173.20 (malig neo skin ear NOS). 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.