D16 vs D21
D16 (Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage) compared with D21 (Other benign neoplasms of connective and other soft tissue), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.
Can these codes be reported together?
No — do not report together. D16 carries an Excludes1 note covering D21: “benign neoplasm of synovia (D21.-)”
Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
No — do not report together. D21 carries an Excludes1 note covering D16: “benign neoplasm of articular cartilage (D16.-)”
Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
Side by side
| D16Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage | D21Other benign neoplasms of connective and other soft tissue | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Non-billable header | Non-billable header |
| Classification | C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49) | C00-D49 — Neoplasms (C00-D49) |
| Definition | Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (D16). | Other benign neoplasms of connective and other soft tissue is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (D21). |
| Includes | — | benign neoplasm of blood vessel benign neoplasm of bursa benign neoplasm of cartilage benign neoplasm of fascia |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources