2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C44.92Squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›C43-C44›C44

ICD-10-CM C44.92
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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
C44.9
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
  • Lymphoepithelial 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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to C44.92: its own notes plus those printed at C44 and Chapter 2. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From C44 Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin applies to 101 codes
  • malignant neoplasm of sebaceous glands
  • malignant neoplasm of sweat glands

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From C44 Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin applies to 101 codes
  • Kaposi's sarcoma of skin (C46.0)
  • malignant melanoma of skin (C43.-)
  • malignant neoplasm of skin of genital organs (C51-C52, C60.-, C63.2)
  • Merkel cell carcinoma (C4A.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 2 (C00-D49) Neoplasms applies to 1,730 codes
  • Functional activity
  • All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm.
  • Morphology [Histology]
  • Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, etc. The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes.
  • Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries
  • A primary malignant neoplasm that overlaps two or more contiguous (next to each other) sites should be classified to the subcategory/code .8 ('overlapping lesion'), unless the combination is specifically indexed elsewhere. For multiple neoplasms of the same site that are not contiguous, such as tumors in different quadrants of the same breast, codes for each site should be assigned.
  • Malignant neoplasm of ectopic tissue
  • Malignant neoplasms of ectopic tissue are to be coded to the site mentioned, e.g., ectopic pancreatic malignant neoplasms are coded to pancreas, unspecified (C25.9).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name C44.92, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention C44.92.

  • Z85.828 Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of skin
    Conditions classifiable to C44 names C44, which includes this code

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming C44.92: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • C76 Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined sites
    malignant neoplasm of skin (C44.-) names C44.-, which includes this code

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma

    a carcinoma arising from the squamous cells of the epidermis. skin squamous cell carcinoma is most commonly found on sun-exposed areas. the majority of the tumors are well-differentiated.

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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About C44.92Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified?

The ICD-10-CM code for squamous cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified is C44.92 (sometimes written as C4492). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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 607, 606, with relative weights from 0.8772 to 1.5721 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can C44.92 be reported with C46.0?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at C44, which applies to C44.92, lists "Kaposi's sarcoma of skin (C46.0)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

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.