2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M71.521Other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, right elbow

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M70-M79›M71

ICD-10-CM M71.521
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M71.521 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, right elbow. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 557 through 558. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified connective tissue disease.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M71.521
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, right elbow
Short Description
Other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, right elbow
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M71.52
Other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, elbow

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM70-M79Other soft tissue disorders
CategoryM71Other bursopathies
This CodeM71.521Other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, right elbow

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS025
Other specified connective tissue disease
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Bursitis

A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between a bone and other moving parts, such as muscles, tendons, or skin. Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes inflamed. People get bursitis by overusing a joint. It can also be caused by an injury. It usually occurs at the knee or elbow.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M71.521 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
727.3 Bursitis NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About M71.521Overview

Is M71.521 (Other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, elbow) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, right elbow on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does M71.521 group to?

When other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, right elbow is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 557, 558, with relative weights from 0.8932 to 1.4869 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M71.521?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, other bursitis, not elsewhere classified, right elbow converts to ICD-9-CM 727.3 (bursitis NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.