2027 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 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M94.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for disorder of cartilage, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M94.9: 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.

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About M94.9Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for disorder of cartilage, unspecified?

The ICD-10-CM code for disorder of cartilage, unspecified is M94.9 (sometimes written as M949). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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, 566, 565, with relative weights from 0.7374 to 1.4909 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can M94.9 be reported with a code from M96?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block M91-M94, which applies to M94.9, 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).

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.