2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D44.6Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D37-D48›D44

ICD-10-CM D44.6
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

D44.6 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). Coders also document this condition as neoplasm of carotid body. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Neoplasms of unspecified nature or uncertain behavior.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
D44.6
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body
Short Description
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
D44
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine glands

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionD37-D48Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes
CategoryD44Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine glands
This CodeD44.6Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Neoplasm of carotid body
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body
  • Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of paraganglia

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Paraganglioma
      • carotid body
    • Tumor
      • carotid body

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR NEO072
Neoplasms of unspecified nature or uncertain behavior
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.
carotid (artery) › bodyC75.4C79.89–D35.5D44.6D49.7

Patient EducationClinical

Carotid Artery Disease

Your carotid arteries are two large blood vessels in your neck. They supply your brain and head with blood. If you have carotid artery disease, the arteries become narrow or blocked, usually because of atherosclerosis.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert D44.6 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
237.3 Unc behav neo paragang
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 D44.6Overview

Is D44.6 (Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of endocrine glands) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of D44.6?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, neoplasm of uncertain behavior of carotid body converts to ICD-9-CM 237.3 (unc behav neo paragang). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

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.