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Compare/M24.3 vs Q79

M24.3 vs Q79

M24.3 (Pathological dislocation of joint, not elsewhere classified) compared with Q79 (Congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system, not elsewhere classified), 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. M24.3 carries an Excludes1 note covering Q79: “congenital dislocation or displacement of joint- see congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system (Q65-Q79)”

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

M24.3Pathological dislocation of joint, not elsewhere classifiedQ79Congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system, not elsewhere classified
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: M24.30, M24.311, M24.312, M24.319, M24.321

Non-billable header

Report instead: Q79.0, Q79.1, Q79.2, Q79.3, Q79.4

ClassificationM00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99)Q00-Q99 — Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
DefinitionPathological dislocation of joint, not elsewhere classified is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (M24.3).

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources