2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M94Other disorders of cartilage

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M91-M94›M94

ICD-10-CM M94
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M94 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for other disorders of cartilage, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as M94.0, M94.1, M94.20, and M94.211.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M94
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Other disorders of cartilage
Short Description
Other disorders of cartilage
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
M91-M94
Chondropathies

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM91-M94Chondropathies
CategoryM94Other disorders of cartilage
This CodeM94Other disorders of cartilage

Specific Coding for Other disorders of cartilageOverview

Non-specific codes like M94 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use M94.0 for Chondrocostal junction syndrome [Tietze]

  • Use M94.1 for Relapsing polychondritis

  • M94.2 for Chondromalacia

  • Use M94.20 for Chondromalacia, unspecified site

  • M94.21 for Chondromalacia, shoulder

  • M94.22 for Chondromalacia, elbow

  • M94.23 for Chondromalacia, wrist

  • M94.24 for Chondromalacia, joints of hand

  • M94.25 for Chondromalacia, hip

  • M94.26 for Chondromalacia, knee

  • M94.27 for Chondromalacia, ankle and joints of foot

  • Use M94.28 for Chondromalacia, other site

  • Use M94.29 for Chondromalacia, multiple sites

  • M94.3 for Chondrolysis

  • M94.35 for Chondrolysis, hip

  • M94.8 for Other specified disorders of cartilage

  • M94.8X for Other specified disorders of cartilage

  • Use M94.9 for Disorder of cartilage, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M94: its own notes plus those printed at block M91-M94 and Chapter 13. 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 Block M91-M94 Chondropathies applies to 212 codes
  • postprocedural chondropathies (M96.-)

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 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
  • 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)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the musculoskeletal condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the musculoskeletal condition

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

Patient EducationClinical

Cartilage Disorders

Cartilage is the tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of your bones at a joint. It also gives shape and support to other parts of your body, such as your ears, nose and windpipe. Healthy cartilage helps you move by allowing your bones to glide over each other.

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 M94Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for other disorders of cartilage?

M94 is the ICD-10-CM category for other disorders of cartilage, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is M94 (Other disorders of cartilage) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for other disorders of cartilage, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for other disorders of cartilage need a more specific code from this category, such as M94.0, M94.1, and M94.20.

Can M94 be reported with a code from M96?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block M91-M94, which applies to M94, lists "postprocedural chondropathies (M96.-)". 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).