Is C49 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. C49 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does C49 sit in the tabular list?

Neoplasms (C00-D49), in the block Malignant neoplasms of mesothelial and soft tissue (C45-C49).

What cannot be coded together with C49?

C49 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.

C49

C49 — Malignant neoplasm of other connective and soft tissue

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

C49 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for malignant neoplasm of other connective and soft tissue. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below.

Excludes1 — never code together

These conditions cannot occur together. Billing both on the same encounter is a denial.

malignant neoplasm of cartilage (of):
articular (C40-C41)
larynx (C32.3)
nose (C30.0)
malignant neoplasm of connective tissue of breast (C50.-)

Excludes2 — not included here, but may coexist

The excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient can have both. You may code both.

Kaposi's sarcoma of soft tissue (C46.1)
malignant neoplasm of heart (C38.0)
malignant neoplasm of peripheral nerves and autonomic nervous system (C47.-)
malignant neoplasm of peritoneum (C48.2)
malignant neoplasm of retroperitoneum (C48.0)
malignant neoplasm of uterine ligament (C57.3)
mesothelioma (C45.-)

Includes

Conditions this code covers.

malignant neoplasm of blood vessel
malignant neoplasm of bursa
malignant neoplasm of cartilage
malignant neoplasm of fascia
malignant neoplasm of fat
malignant neoplasm of ligament, except uterine
malignant neoplasm of lymphatic vessel
malignant neoplasm of muscle
malignant neoplasm of synovia
malignant neoplasm of tendon (sheath)

Other codes that can never be billed with C49

These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at C49. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading C49 alone.

C69Malignant neoplasm of eye and adnexa
C30.1Malignant neoplasm of middle ear
C38.0Malignant neoplasm of heart
C41Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage of other and unspecified sites
C44.1Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of eyelid, including canthus
C44.2Other and unspecified malignant neoplasm of skin of ear and external auricular canal

Risk adjustment

C49 does not map to an HCC and does not risk-adjust under CMS-HCC V28. That is normal — most ICD-10 codes do not. It still needs to be coded correctly; it just will not move a RAF score.

Code to one of these instead C49

10 child codes. Green means billable.

Questions about C49

Is C49 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. C49 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does C49 sit in the tabular list?: Neoplasms (C00-D49), in the block Malignant neoplasms of mesothelial and soft tissue (C45-C49).
What cannot be coded together with C49?: C49 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.