2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D16Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D10-D36›D16

ICD-10-CM D16
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

D16 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as D16.00, D16.01, D16.02, and D16.10.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
D16
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage
Short Description
Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
D10-D36
Benign neoplasms, except benign neuroendocrine tumors

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionD10-D36Benign neoplasms, except benign neuroendocrine tumors
CategoryD16Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage
This CodeD16Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage

Specific Coding for Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilageOverview

Non-specific codes like D16 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • D16.0 for Benign neoplasm of scapula and long bones of upper limb

  • Use D16.00 for Benign neoplasm of scapula and long bones of unspecified upper limb

  • Use D16.01 for Benign neoplasm of scapula and long bones of right upper limb

  • Use D16.02 for Benign neoplasm of scapula and long bones of left upper limb

  • D16.1 for Benign neoplasm of short bones of upper limb

  • Use D16.10 for Benign neoplasm of short bones of unspecified upper limb

  • Use D16.11 for Benign neoplasm of short bones of right upper limb

  • Use D16.12 for Benign neoplasm of short bones of left upper limb

  • D16.2 for Benign neoplasm of long bones of lower limb

  • Use D16.20 for Benign neoplasm of long bones of unspecified lower limb

  • Use D16.21 for Benign neoplasm of long bones of right lower limb

  • Use D16.22 for Benign neoplasm of long bones of left lower limb

  • D16.3 for Benign neoplasm of short bones of lower limb

  • Use D16.30 for Benign neoplasm of short bones of unspecified lower limb

  • Use D16.31 for Benign neoplasm of short bones of right lower limb

  • Use D16.32 for Benign neoplasm of short bones of left lower limb

  • Use D16.4 for Benign neoplasm of bones of skull and face

  • Use D16.5 for Benign neoplasm of lower jaw bone

  • Use D16.6 for Benign neoplasm of vertebral column

  • Use D16.7 for Benign neoplasm of ribs, sternum and clavicle

  • Use D16.8 for Benign neoplasm of pelvic bones, sacrum and coccyx

  • Use D16.9 for Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to D16: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 2. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • benign neoplasm of connective tissue of ear (D21.0)
  • benign neoplasm of connective tissue of eyelid (D21.0)
  • benign neoplasm of connective tissue of larynx (D14.1)
  • benign neoplasm of connective tissue of nose (D14.0)
  • benign neoplasm of synovia (D21.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 2 (C00-D49) Neoplasms applies to 1,730 codes
  • Functional activity
  • All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm.
  • Morphology [Histology]
  • Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, etc. The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes.
  • Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries
  • A primary malignant neoplasm that overlaps two or more contiguous (next to each other) sites should be classified to the subcategory/code .8 ('overlapping lesion'), unless the combination is specifically indexed elsewhere. For multiple neoplasms of the same site that are not contiguous, such as tumors in different quadrants of the same breast, codes for each site should be assigned.
  • Malignant neoplasm of ectopic tissue
  • Malignant neoplasms of ectopic tissue are to be coded to the site mentioned, e.g., ectopic pancreatic malignant neoplasms are coded to pancreas, unspecified (C25.9).

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name D16, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming D16: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • D21 Other benign neoplasms of connective and other soft tissue
    benign neoplasm of articular cartilage (D16.-)

Patient EducationClinical

Benign Tumors

Tumors are abnormal growths in your body. They can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer. Malignant ones are. Benign tumors grow only in one place. They cannot spread or invade other parts of your body. Even so, they can be dangerous if they press on vital organs, such as your brain.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About D16Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage?

D16 is the ICD-10-CM category for benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is D16 (Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage need a more specific code from this category, such as D16.00, D16.01, and D16.02.

Can D16 be reported with D21.0?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on D16 lists "benign neoplasm of connective tissue of ear (D21.0)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).