Malignant neoplasm of gallbladder
In Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (C15-C26), chapter 2: Neoplasms
- C23 is billable and valid on claims for FY 2027. If the record has more detail, check the other codes under C15-C26 below.
- As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can raise the MS-DRG payment. It doesn't count when the principal diagnosis is one of 21 closely related codes.
- Counts toward HCC 20 (Lung and Other Severe Cancers) in the Medicare Advantage risk model (CMS-HCC V28).
- AHRQ's Chronic Condition Indicator classes it as chronic: expected to last 12 months or longer and to limit daily life or need ongoing care.
- 2,213 US deaths in 2024 had an underlying cause in category C23, per the National Vital Statistics System on CDC WONDER. Death records use WHO ICD-10, so the count is for the whole category.
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Instructional notes
Also applies, from Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (C15-C26)
These notes sit on C15-C26 and apply to every code under it, including C23.
Official coding guidelines
From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.
Rules for coding benign and malignant neoplasms: using the Neoplasm Table, sequencing primary and secondary sites, treatment encounters, complications, and current cancer versus personal history.
- Admission/Encounter for treatment of primary site (page 33)
- Admission/Encounter for treatment of secondary site (page 33)
- Coding and sequencing of complications (page 34)
- Primary malignancy previously excised (page 34)
- Admissions/Encounters involving antineoplastic chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy (page 35)
- Admission/encounter to determine extent of malignancy (page 36)
- Symptoms, signs, and abnormal findings listed in Chapter 18 associated with neoplasms (page 36)
- Admission/encounter for pain control/management (page 36)
Other codes under C15-C26
Malignant neoplasms of digestive organs (C15-C26)
- C15Malignant neoplasm of esophagus
- C16Malignant neoplasm of stomach
- C17Malignant neoplasm of small intestine
- C18Malignant neoplasm of colon
- C19Malignant neoplasm of rectosigmoid junction
- C20Malignant neoplasm of rectum
- C21Malignant neoplasm of anus and anal canal
- C22Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts
- C23Malignant neoplasm of gallbladder(this code)
- C24Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of biliary tract
- C25Malignant neoplasm of pancreas
- C26Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs
C23 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, C23 groups to MS-DRG 435, 436, or 437 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
Related conditions
Grouped by AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR), which sorts every diagnosis code into clinically meaningful categories.
C23 is in Gastrointestinal cancers - gallbladder (NEO019, its default category), with 1 code.
Medicare coverage articles listing C23
These 29 Medicare billing and coding articles list C23 as a diagnosis that supports medical necessity for the services they cover. From the CMS Medicare Coverage Database; check your own contractor's article before billing.
- MolDX: Genetic Testing for Hereditary Thrombophilia (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Lab-Developed Tests for Inherited Cancer Syndromes in Patients with Cancer (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Minimal Residual Disease Testing for Solid Tumor Cancers (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Next-Generation Sequencing for Solid Tumors (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Non-Next Generation Sequencing Targeted Molecular Panel Tests for Targeted Therapy in Cancer (4 contractors)
- MolDX: Plasma-Based Genomic Profiling in Solid Tumors (4 contractors)
- MolDX: bioTheranostics Cancer TYPE ID® Update (3 contractors)
- Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (2 contractors)
- Lab: Flow Cytometry (2 contractors)
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks (2 contractors)
And 19 more.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Gallbladder Cancer
Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ under your liver. It stores bile, a fluid made by your liver to digest fat. As your stomach and intestines digest food, your gallbladder releases bile through a tube called the common bile duct. The duct connects your gallbladder and liver to your small intestine.
Read more about gallbladder cancer on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Legacy crosswalk from the CMS General Equivalence Mappings (last updated 2018).
- 156.0 Malignant neoplasm of gallbladder