2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D49.81Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of retina and choroid
ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D49›D49
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
D49.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for neoplasm of unspecified behavior of retina and choroid. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 826 through 830, 843 through 845. Coders also document this condition as chorioretinal neoplasm. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Neoplasms of unspecified nature or uncertain behavior.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Chorioretinal neoplasm
- Neoplasm of choroid
- Neoplasm of retina
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to D49.81: its own notes plus those printed at D49.8, D49, 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.
- 'growth' NOS
- neoplasm NOS
- new growth NOS
- tumor NOS
Applicable To
Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.
- Dark area on retina
- Retinal freckle
Excludes1
Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Excludes2
Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.
Notes
General instructions on how these codes are used.
- Category D49 classifies by site neoplasms of unspecified morphology and behavior. The term 'mass', unless otherwise stated, is not to be regarded as a neoplastic growth.
- 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 D49.81, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 8
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming D49.81: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
- C69.2 Malignant neoplasm of retinadark area on retina (D49.81)
- C69.2 Malignant neoplasm of retinaneoplasm of unspecified behavior of retina and choroid (D49.81)
- C69.2 Malignant neoplasm of retinaretinal freckle (D49.81)
- D31.2 Benign neoplasm of retinadark area on retina (D49.81)
- D31.2 Benign neoplasm of retinahemangioma of retina (D49.81)
- D31.2 Benign neoplasm of retinaneoplasm of unspecified behavior of retina and choroid (D49.81)
- D31.2 Benign neoplasm of retinaretinal freckle (D49.81)
- Block D37-D48 Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromesneoplasms of unspecified behavior (D49.-) names D49.-, which includes this code
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
retinal D49.81
Retina, retinal See Also: condition;
dark area D49.81
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Table of NeoplasmsClinical
Patient EducationClinical
Retinal Disorders
Retinal disorders are conditions that affect the retina, the thin light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. The retina senses light and sends signals to your brain so you can see.
The full article covers:
- What are retinal disorders?
- What causes retinal disorders?
- What are common retinal disorders?
- What are the symptoms of retinal disorders?
- How are retinal disorders diagnosed?
- How are retinal disorders treated?
- Can retinal disorders be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert D49.81 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About D49.81Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for neoplasm of unspecified behavior of retina and choroid?
The ICD-10-CM code for neoplasm of unspecified behavior of retina and choroid is D49.81 (sometimes written as D4981). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is D49.81 (Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of other specified sites) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report neoplasm of unspecified behavior of retina and choroid on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What MS-DRG does D49.81 group to?
When neoplasm of unspecified behavior of retina and choroid is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 844, 827, 829, 843, 828, 826, 830, 845, with relative weights from 0.8443 to 4.7560 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can D49.81 be reported with D49.2?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at D49.8, which applies to D49.81, lists "neoplasm of unspecified behavior of eyelid (skin) (D49.2)". 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 D49.81?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, neoplasm of unspecified behavior of retina and choroid converts to ICD-9-CM 239.81 (neo retina/choroid NOS). The mapping is a direct match.
