2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G56.23Lesion of ulnar nerve, bilateral upper limbs

ICD-10-CM Codes›G00–G99›G50-G59›G56

ICD-10-CM G56.23
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

G56.23 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for lesion of ulnar nerve, 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
G56.23
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Lesion of ulnar nerve, bilateral upper limbs
Short Description
Lesion of ulnar nerve, bilateral upper limbs
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
G56.2
Lesion of ulnar nerve

Code Classification

ChapterG00–G99Diseases of the nervous system
SectionG50-G59Nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders
CategoryG56Mononeuropathies of upper limb
This CodeG56.23Lesion of ulnar nerve, bilateral upper limbs

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bilateral entrapment of peripheral nerve of upper limbs
  • Bilateral entrapment of ulnar nerves
  • Bilateral entrapment of ulnar nerves at elbow
  • Bilateral entrapment of ulnar nerves at wrist
  • Bilateral inflammation of ulnar nerves
  • Bilateral lesion of ulnar nerves
  • Bilateral ulnar nerve disorder
  • Bilateral upper limb mononeuropathy
  • Bilateral upper limb nerve inflammation
  • Entrapment of left ulnar nerve
  • Entrapment of left ulnar nerve at elbow
  • Entrapment of right ulnar nerve
  • Entrapment of right ulnar nerve at elbow
  • Entrapment of ulnar nerve at left wrist
  • Entrapment of ulnar nerve at right wrist
  • Inflammation of peripheral nerve of left upper limb
  • Inflammation of peripheral nerve of right upper limb
  • Lesion of left ulnar nerve
  • Lesion of right ulnar nerve
  • Neuritis of left ulnar nerve
  • Neuritis of right ulnar nerve
  • Ulnar nerve entrapment at elbow
  • Ulnar nerve entrapment at wrist
  • Ulnar neuritis
  • Ulnar neuropathy at wrist

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to G56.23: 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 G56.23, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming G56.23: 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

Convert G56.23 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
354.2 Ulnar nerve lesion
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement G56.23 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • G56.21 - Lesion of ulnar nerve, right upper limb
  • G56.22 - Lesion of ulnar nerve, 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 G56.23Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for lesion of ulnar nerve, bilateral upper limbs?

The ICD-10-CM code for lesion of ulnar nerve, bilateral upper limbs is G56.23 (sometimes written as G5623). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is G56.23 (Lesion of ulnar nerve) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does G56.23 group to?

When lesion of ulnar nerve, 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 G56.23 be reported with M79.2?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block G50-G59, which applies to G56.23, 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 G56.23?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, lesion of ulnar nerve, bilateral upper limbs converts to ICD-9-CM 354.2 (ulnar nerve lesion). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.