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  3. C00–D49
  4. C76-C80
  5. C79
  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code C79.3
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code C79.3

Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain and cerebral meninges

ICD-10-CM Code:
C79.3
ICD-10 Code for:
Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain and cerebral meninges
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Neoplasms
    (C00–D49)
    • Malignant neoplasms of ill-defined, other secondary and unspecified sites
      (C76-C80)
      • Secondary malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified sites
        (C79)

C79.3 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of secondary malignant neoplasm of brain and cerebral meninges. 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain and cerebral meninges

Non-specific codes like C79.3 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 secondary malignant neoplasm of brain and cerebral meninges:

  • Use C79.31 for Secondary malignant neoplasm of brain - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use C79.32 for Secondary malignant neoplasm of cerebral meninges - BILLABLE CODE

Patient Education


Brain Tumors

A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells in the tissues of the brain. Brain tumors can be benign, with no cancer cells, or malignant, with cancer cells that grow quickly. Some are primary brain tumors, which start in the brain. Others are metastatic, and they start somewhere else in the body and move to the brain.

Brain tumors can cause many symptoms. Some of the most common are:

  • Headaches, often in the morning
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Changes in your ability to talk, hear, or see
  • Problems with balance or walking
  • Problems with thinking or memory
  • Feeling weak or sleepy
  • Changes in your mood or behavior
  • Seizures

Doctors diagnose brain tumors by doing a neurologic exam and tests including an MRI, CT scan, and biopsy. Treatment options include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances that attack cancer cells with less harm to normal cells. Many people get a combination of treatments.

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.