Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
ICD-10-CM C78 is the diagnosis code for Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs. This code falls under the section "Malignant neoplasms of ill-defined, other secondary and unspecified sites" within Chapter 2 â Neoplasms (C00-D49). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.
The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as C78. They are mutually exclusive:
The following conditions are not included in C78. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:
Understanding where C78 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
No, C78 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.
C78 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
C78 is located in Section C76-C80 â "Malignant neoplasms of ill-defined, other secondary and unspecified sites" within Chapter 2 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
C78 has 9 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: C78.0, C78.1, C78.2, C78.3, C78.4 and more.
Use C78 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.
The ICD-10-CM code for Secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive organs is C78.
No, C78 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.
C78 is in Chapter 2 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Type 1 Excludes for C78 include: secondary carcinoid tumors of liver (C7B.02); secondary carcinoid tumors of peritoneum (C7B.04).
Yes, C78 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.