When is ICD-10 code C85 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code C85 when recording other specified and unspecified types of non-hodgkin lymphoma in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code C85 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code C85: Other specified and unspecified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Name: ICD-10 Code C85: Other specified and unspecified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:03:16.908Z

C85 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Other specified and unspecified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Neoplasms (C00-D49).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Neoplasms (C00-D49).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents other specified and unspecified types of non-hodgkin lymphoma in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

2Neoplasms (C00-D49)

block

C00-C96Malignant neoplasms

block

C81-C96Malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue

currentC81-C96

Official coding notes

Excludes1 (do not code together)

other specified types of T/NK-cell lymphoma (C86.-)
personal history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Z85.72)

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

OncologistGeneral Physician

Sibling codes

C81Hodgkin lymphoma C82Follicular lymphoma C83Non-follicular lymphoma C84Mature T/NK-cell lymphomas C86Other specified types of T/NK-cell lymphoma C88Malignant immunoproliferative diseases and certain other B-cell lymphomas C90Multiple myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms C91Lymphoid leukemia C92Myeloid leukemia C93Monocytic leukemia C94Other leukemias of specified cell type C95Leukemia of unspecified cell type C96Other and unspecified malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.

Legacy codes

C85

Common synonyms

Other specified and unspecified types of non-Hodgkin lymphomaOther specified and types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.