ICD-10 code for cartilage disorder

The ICD-10-CM code for cartilage disorder is M94.9 (Disorder of cartilage, unspecified). The official index lists 2 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on M94.9.

Within M94, choose M94.9 (Disorder of cartilage, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: Chondrocostal junction syndrome [Tietze] (M94.0), relapsing polychondritis (M94.1), Chondromalacia (M94.2), Chondrolysis (M94.3) and other specified disorders of cartilage (M94.8).

It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 564 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC, relative weight 1.4908), DRG 565 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC, relative weight 0.9783) and DRG 566 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.7378), in MDC 08 (Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.