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M87.878 vs M87.879

M87.878 (Other osteonecrosis, left toe(s)) compared with M87.879 (Other osteonecrosis, unspecified toe(s)), from the official CMS tabular data. M87.878 and M87.879 code the same condition on opposite sides. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

M87.878
Left
Other osteonecrosis, left toe(s)
M87.879
Unspecified
Other osteonecrosis, unspecified toe(s)

Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

These codes share a category and title and differ only in the side affected. The documentation decides which applies, and a bilateral code is reported only where the code set provides one.

Source: ICD-10-CM tabular list (laterality variant derived from the code title)

Can these codes be reported together?

Same condition, opposite side. M87.878 and M87.879 name the same condition on opposite sides of the body.

Same category and title, differing only in which side is affected — the documentation decides which one applies, and a bilateral code is reported only where the code set provides one.

Side by side

M87.878Other osteonecrosis, left toe(s)M87.879Other osteonecrosis, unspecified toe(s)
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationM00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99)M00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99)
DefinitionOther osteonecrosis, left toe(s) is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M87.878).Other osteonecrosis, unspecified toe(s) is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M87.879).
Includes
avascular necrosis of bone
avascular necrosis of bone
Use additional code
code to identify major osseous defect, if applicable (M89.7-)
code to identify major osseous defect, if applicable (M89.7-)

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