2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D38Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D37-D48›D38

ICD-10-CM D38
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

D38 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as D38.0, D38.1, D38.2, and D38.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
D38
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs
Short Description
Neoplm of uncrt behav of mid ear & resp and intrathorac org
Chapter
D37-D48
Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionD37-D48Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes
CategoryD38Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs
This CodeD38Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs

Specific Coding for Neoplm of uncrt behav of mid ear & resp and intrathorac orgOverview

Non-specific codes like D38 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use D38.0 for Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of larynx

  • Use D38.1 for Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of trachea, bronchus and lung

  • Use D38.2 for Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of pleura

  • Use D38.3 for Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of mediastinum

  • Use D38.4 for Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of thymus

  • Use D38.5 for Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other respiratory organs

  • Use D38.6 for Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of respiratory organ, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to D38: its own notes plus those printed at block D37-D48 and Chapter 2. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

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

On D38 itself
  • neoplasm of uncertain behavior of heart (D48.7)
From Block D37-D48 Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes applies to 137 codes
  • neoplasms of unspecified behavior (D49.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Block D37-D48 Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes applies to 137 codes
  • Categories D37-D44, and D48 classify by site neoplasms of uncertain behavior, i.e., histologic confirmation whether the neoplasm is malignant or benign cannot be made.
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 D38, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming D38: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • D49 Neoplasms of unspecified behavior
    neoplasms of uncertain behavior (D37-D44, D48) names D37-D44, which includes this code

Notes 1

These notes mention D38.

  • Block D37-D48 Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes
    Categories D37-D44, and D48 classify by site neoplasms of uncertain behavior, i.e., histologic confirmation whether the neoplasm is malignant or benign cannot be made. names D37-D44, which includes this code

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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 D38Overview

Is D38 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of middle ear and respiratory and intrathoracic organs need a more specific code from this category, such as D38.0, D38.1, and D38.2.

Can D38 be reported with D48.7?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on D38 lists "neoplasm of uncertain behavior of heart (D48.7)". 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).