2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G56.03Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs

ICD-10-CM Codes›G00–G99›G50-G59›G56

ICD-10-CM G56.03
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

G56.03 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 73 through 74. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nerve and nerve root disorders.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
G56.03
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs
Short Description
Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
G56.0
Carpal tunnel syndrome

Code Classification

ChapterG00–G99Diseases of the nervous system
SectionG50-G59Nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders
CategoryG56Mononeuropathies of upper limb
This CodeG56.03Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to G56.03: its own notes plus those printed at G56, block G50-G59, and Chapter 6. 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.

From G56 Mononeuropathies of upper limb applies to 28 codes
  • current traumatic nerve disorder - see nerve injury by body region
From Block G50-G59 Nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders applies to 106 codes
  • current traumatic nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders - see Injury, nerve by body region
  • neuralgia NOS (M79.2)
  • neuritis NOS (M79.2)
  • peripheral neuritis in pregnancy (O26.82-)
  • radiculitis NOS (M54.1-)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 6 (G00-G99) Diseases of the nervous system applies to 700 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name G56.03, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming G56.03: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • M79.2 Neuralgia and neuritis, unspecified
    mononeuropathies (G56-G58) names G56-G58, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NVS017
Nerve and nerve root disorders
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    entrapment of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, which is formed by the flexor retinaculum and the carpal bones. this syndrome may be associated with repetitive occupational trauma (cumulative trauma disorders); wrist injuries; amyloid neuropathies; rheumatoid arthritis (see arthritis, rheumatoid); acromegaly; pregnancy; and other conditions. symptoms include burning pain and paresthesias involving the ventral surface of the hand and fingers which may radiate proximally. impairment of sensation in the distribution of the median nerve and thenar muscle atrophy may occur. (joynt, clinical neurology, 1995, ch51, p45)

Patient EducationClinical

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the name for a group of problems that includes numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in your wrist or hand. It's a very common condition that happens when a nerve in your wrist becomes squeezed.

The full article covers:

  • What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
  • What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
  • Who is more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome?
  • What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
  • How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome?
  • Can carpal tunnel syndrome be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert G56.03 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
354.0 Carpal tunnel syndrome
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement G56.03 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • G56.01 - Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb
  • G56.02 - Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb
FY 2019AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2018.
FY 2020–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About G56.03Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs?

The ICD-10-CM code for carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs is G56.03 (sometimes written as G5603). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is G56.03 (Carpal tunnel syndrome) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does G56.03 group to?

When carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 74, 73, with relative weights from 1.0172 to 1.5773 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can G56.03 be reported with M79.2?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block G50-G59, which applies to G56.03, lists "neuralgia NOS (M79.2)". 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).

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of G56.03?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs converts to ICD-9-CM 354.0 (carpal tunnel syndrome). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.