C43
Non-Billable

Malignant melanoma of skin

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Malignant melanoma of skin?

ICD-10-CM C43 is the diagnosis code for Malignant melanoma of skin. This code falls under the section "Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin" within Chapter 2 — 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.

⛔ Excludes1
â„šī¸ Excludes2

Coding Guidelines for C43

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as C43. They are mutually exclusive:

  • melanoma in situ (D03.-)

â„šī¸ Type 2 Excludes (Code separately if applicable)

The following conditions are not included in C43. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • malignant melanoma of skin of genital organs (C51-C52, C60.-, C63.-)
  • Merkel cell carcinoma (C4A.-)
  • sites other than skin-code to malignant neoplasm of the site

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where C43 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 10 entries
C43.0Malignant melanoma of lipBillableC43.1Malignant melanoma of eyelid, including canthusNon-BillableC43.10Malignant melanoma of unspecified eyelid, including canthusBillableC43.11Malignant melanoma of right eyelid, including canthusNon-BillableC43.111Malignant melanoma of right upper eyelid, including canthusBillableC43.112Malignant melanoma of right lower eyelid, including canthusBillableC43.12Malignant melanoma of left eyelid, including canthusNon-BillableC43.121Malignant melanoma of left upper eyelid, including canthusBillableC43.122Malignant melanoma of left lower eyelid, including canthusBillableC43.2Malignant melanoma of ear and external auricular canalNon-BillableC43.20Malignant melanoma of unspecified ear and external auricular canalBillableC43.21Malignant melanoma of right ear and external auricular canalBillableC43.22Malignant melanoma of left ear and external auricular canalBillableC43.3Malignant melanoma of other and unspecified parts of faceNon-BillableC43.30Malignant melanoma of unspecified part of faceBillableC43.31Malignant melanoma of noseBillableC43.39Malignant melanoma of other parts of faceBillableC43.4Malignant melanoma of scalp and neckBillableC43.5Malignant melanoma of trunkNon-BillableC43.51Malignant melanoma of anal skinBillableC43.52Malignant melanoma of skin of breastBillableC43.59Malignant melanoma of other part of trunkBillableC43.6Malignant melanoma of upper limb, including shoulderNon-BillableC43.60Malignant melanoma of unspecified upper limb, including shoulderBillableC43.61Malignant melanoma of right upper limb, including shoulderBillableC43.62Malignant melanoma of left upper limb, including shoulderBillableC43.7Malignant melanoma of lower limb, including hipNon-BillableC43.70Malignant melanoma of unspecified lower limb, including hipBillableC43.71Malignant melanoma of right lower limb, including hipBillableC43.72Malignant melanoma of left lower limb, including hipBillableC43.8Malignant melanoma of overlapping sites of skinBillableC43.9Malignant melanoma of skin, unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is C43 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, C43 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does C43 mean?

C43 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Malignant melanoma of skin". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is C43 in?

C43 is located in Section C43-C44 — "Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin" within Chapter 2 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of C43?

C43 has 10 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: C43.0, C43.1, C43.2, C43.3, C43.4 and more.

When should I use C43?

Use C43 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Malignant melanoma of skin" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Malignant melanoma of skin?

The ICD-10-CM code for Malignant melanoma of skin is C43.

Can C43 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, C43 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is C43 in?

C43 is in Chapter 2 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from C43?

Type 1 Excludes for C43 include: melanoma in situ (D03.-).

Is C43 valid for 2026?

Yes, C43 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousC41.9Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage, unspecifiedNext →C43.0Malignant melanoma of lip
Code Details
C43
Malignant melanoma of skin
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
2 — Neoplasms (C00-D49)
C43-C44 — Melanoma and other malignant neoplasms of skin
2026 ICD-10-CM