2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C44.92Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified

ICD-10-CM CodesC00–D49C43-C44C44

ICD-10-CM C44.92
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

C44.92 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified. 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Skin cancers - squamous cell carcinoma.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
C44.92
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified
Short Description
Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin, unspecified

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionC43-C44Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin
CategoryC44Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin
This CodeC44.92Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma
  • Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma of skin
  • Adenosquamous cell carcinoma
  • Adverse effect from PUVA photochemotherapy
  • Clear cell squamous cell carcinoma of skin
  • Malignant neoplasm of nail apparatus
  • Malignant neoplasm of skin caused by radiation
  • Marjolin's ulcer
  • Multiple squamous cell carcinomata
  • Primary acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma
  • Primary acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma of skin
  • Primary clear cell squamous cell carcinoma of skin
  • Primary spindle cell squamous carcinoma of skin
  • Primary spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma
  • PUVA therapy-associated squamous cell carcinoma
  • Signet ring squamous cell carcinoma
  • Spindle cell squamous carcinoma of skin
  • Spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of nail apparatus
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of skin
  • Verrucous squamous cell carcinoma

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR NEO027
Skin cancers - squamous cell carcinoma
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.
skin NOS squamous cell carcinomaC44.92

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 C44.92 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
173.92 Squam cell ca skin NOS
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 C44.92Overview

Is C44.92 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does C44.92 group to?

When squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified 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 C44.92?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 173.92 (squam cell ca skin NOS). The mapping is a direct match.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.