2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M94.9Disorder of cartilage, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M91-M94›M94

ICD-10-CM M94.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M94.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for disorder of cartilage, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 564 through 566. Coders also document this condition as cartilage disorder. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified bone disease and musculoskeletal deformities.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M94.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Disorder of cartilage, unspecified
Short Description
Disorder of cartilage, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M94
Other disorders of cartilage

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM91-M94Chondropathies
CategoryM94Other disorders of cartilage
This CodeM94.9Disorder of cartilage, unspecified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Cartilage disorder
  • Degenerative disorder of cartilage

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Disorder(of)
      • cartilage

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS028
Other specified bone disease and musculoskeletal deformities
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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.

Convert M94.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
733.90 Bone & cartilage dis NOS
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 M94.9Overview

Is M94.9 (Other disorders of cartilage) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report disorder of cartilage, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does M94.9 group to?

When disorder of cartilage, unspecified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 564, 565, 566, with relative weights from 0.7493 to 1.5436 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M94.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, disorder of cartilage, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 733.90 (bone & cartilage dis NOS). 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.