2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z85.21Personal history of malignant neoplasm of larynx

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z77-Z99›Z85

ICD-10-CM Z85.21
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Z85.21 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for personal history of malignant neoplasm of larynx. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 826 through 830, 843 through 845. The code is not accepted as a principal diagnosis by the Medicare Code Editor and exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as history of malignant neoplasm of larynx. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Personal history of malignant neoplasm.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Z85.21
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Personal history of malignant neoplasm of larynx
Short Description
Personal history of malignant neoplasm of larynx
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Z85.2
Personal history of malignant neoplasm of other respiratory and intrathoracic organs

Code Classification

ChapterZ00–Z99Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
SectionZ77-Z99Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status
CategoryZ85Personal history of malignant neoplasm
This CodeZ85.21Personal history of malignant neoplasm of larynx

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for Z85.21.

Unacceptable principal diagnosis
There are selected codes that describe a circumstance which influences an individual's health status but not a current illness or injury, or codes that are not specific manifestations but may be due to an underlying cause. These codes are considered unacceptable as a principal diagnosis.

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Z85.21 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • History of malignant neoplasm of larynx
  • History of malignant neoplasm of neck
  • History of primary malignant neoplasm of ear, nose and/or throat
  • History of primary malignant neoplasm of larynx

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Conditions classifiable to C32

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.

    • History
      • personal (of)
        • malignant neoplasm (of)
          • larynx

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR FAC027
Personal history of malignant neoplasm
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer is the name for cancers that develop in the mouth, nose and sinuses, salivary glands, and throat and voice box (larynx). Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell cancers. They begin in the moist tissues that line the head and neck. The cancer cells may spread into deeper tissue as the cancer grows.

The full article covers:

  • What is head and neck cancer?
  • Who is more likely to develop head and neck cancer?
  • What are the symptoms of head and neck cancer?
  • How is head and neck cancer diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for head and neck cancer?
  • Can head and neck cancer be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert Z85.21 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
V10.21 Hx-laryngeal malignancy
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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About Z85.21Overview

Is Z85.21 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report personal history of malignant neoplasm of larynx on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does Z85.21 group to?

On inpatient claims, personal history of malignant neoplasm of larynx maps to MS-DRG 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 843, 844, 845, with relative weights from 0.8516 to 4.6778 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can Z85.21 be a principal diagnosis?

No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because personal history of malignant neoplasm of larynx describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.

Is Z85.21 exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for personal history of malignant neoplasm of larynx on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Z85.21?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, personal history of malignant neoplasm of larynx converts to ICD-9-CM V10.21 (hx-laryngeal malignancy). The mapping is a direct match.