M33.21 ICD-10-CM Code: Polymyositis with respiratory involvement
Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.
Coding at a Glance
- Tabular directives
- 4 inclusion terms · 1 Excludes1
Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)
Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.
MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v43, Appendix B.
- MS-DRG 545 — CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS WITH MCC (MDC 08)
- MS-DRG 546 — CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS WITH CC (MDC 08)
- MS-DRG 547 — CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 08)
A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.
Risk Adjustment (CMS-HCC)
Payment categories this diagnosis maps to under CMS-HCC V28, payment year 2026.
- HCC 280 — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders
- HCC 93 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders (supersedes HCC 94)
Other models: CMS-HCC V22 HCC 112 · CMS-HCC V22 HCC 40 · RxHCC V08 HCC 227 · RxHCC V08 HCC 83
Risk scores depend on the enrollee's full accepted diagnosis set and segment; a category mapping alone does not determine payment.
Coding instructions
Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for M33.21 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.
Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2026Effective: October 1, 2025
Notes without a marker are published on M33.21 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.
Includes
Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.
- autoimmune disease NOS
- collagen (vascular) disease NOS
- systemic autoimmune disease
- systemic collagen (vascular) disease
Source: inherited from M30-M36
Excludes1 — Not Coded Here
Conditions generally not reported together with this code (Excludes1) -- an error unless the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
- autoimmune disease, single organ or single cell-type -code to relevant condition category
Source: inherited from M30-M36
Coder workflow for M33.21
MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record
Before you code M33.21
- M33.21’s title joins a condition with an associated condition or complication. Confirm each component is documented. Where the classification presumes the link through the “with” convention, only a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it. A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; a required second code for the stage, type or manifestation is still reported when the notes ask for it (Guidelines I.B.9, I.A.15).
- Check the Excludes1 note: if the documentation supports a condition named there, do not simply proceed with M33.21. Excludes1 conditions are not reported together with this code unless the record shows they are unrelated (Guidelines I.A.12.a).
Choose the right path
- Does the documentation support a condition named in M33.21’s Excludes1 note?
Yes → Do not simply proceed: review the excluded code. Both are reported only when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated.
No → Continue.
Consider M33.21. Then confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.
Documentation check
- The provider’s diagnostic statement
- Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).
- The associated condition or complication
- Whether the associated condition the title names is documented; the “with” convention presumes some links, and a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it (Guidelines I.A.15).
Official instructions as workflow
Excludes1 — check before selecting M33.21(1 note)
Coding workflow: If the documentation supports a condition named in this note, do not simply proceed with M33.21: the two are not reported together. The one exception is when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated to each other.
See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.a
Coding decision scenarios
Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases
Documentation: Both the condition M33.21 describes and a condition named in its Excludes1 note are documented for the same encounter.
Coding question: Can both codes be reported?
Path: Review the Excludes1 note and the excluded code, and look for a provider statement on whether the two conditions are related.
Reason: Excludes1 means the two are not coded together; the exception is when the record shows the conditions are unrelated to each other (Guidelines I.A.12.a).
Documentation: Only one of the components this code’s title joins is documented.
Coding question: Is M33.21 supported?
Path: Review the code for the documented component on its own.
Reason: A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; otherwise the documented component takes its own code (Guidelines I.B.9).
Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.
Code Overview
MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.
Indexed Clinical Terms (1)
Official source data — entries quoted as published, in the Index’s own lookup phrasing
Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code. These are alphabetic-index entries shown as the Index writes them — lookup phrasing, not necessarily the wording of a final diagnosis.
Verify Before Coding
- CC as a secondary diagnosis (FY2026). Can raise the stay's MS-DRG severity tier.
From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.
Relationships & Classification
MedCoder structured relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets
Other codes that name M33.21 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.
Referenced by 8 Excludes1 notes across 4 chapters: G72 — Other and unspecified myopathies (via M33.-), J99 — Respiratory disorders in diseases classified elsewhere, L94 — Other localized connective tissue disorders (via M33.-), M60 — Myositis (via M33.-), M60-M63 — Disorders of muscles (M60-M63) (via M33.-), M61 — Calcification and ossification of muscle (via M33.-), M62 — Other disorders of muscle (via M33.-), M63 — Disorders of muscle in diseases classified elsewhere (via M33.-).
These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.
Referenced by 2 Excludes2 notes across 2 chapters: I77 — Other disorders of arteries and arterioles (via M33.-), J82 — Pulmonary eosinophilia, not elsewhere classified (via M33.-).
These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.
Referenced by 1 Code First instruction: J84.170 — Interstitial lung disease with progressive fibrotic phenotype in diseases classified elsewhere (via M33.-).
Each of these codes carries a Code First note naming this condition — when that code is reported, THIS code is sequenced first, ahead of it.
Referenced by 1 Code Also instruction: I27.21 — Secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension (via M33.2.-).
These codes suggest coding this condition alongside when both are present.
MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2026)
Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.
FY2026 MS-DRG: CC — Complication or Comorbidity. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, this code raises the stay's MS-DRG severity tier — except when the principal diagnosis is one of 4 clinically related codes on its CMS exclusion list.
Named in the grouper logic of 3 MS-DRGs: DRG 545 (MDC 08), DRG 546 (MDC 08), DRG 547 (MDC 08).
From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.
Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):MUS024 — Systemic lupus erythematosus and connective tissue disorders (default).
Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Related Codes
Same clinical process (MS-DRG)
Acts as CC — raises the severity of other admissions. CMS groups these diagnoses into one MS-DRG principal-diagnosis exclusion process — a CC/MCC on this list never raises severity when the principal diagnosis is also on it.
M33.20 — Polymyositis, organ involvement unspecified, M33.22 — Polymyositis with myopathy, M33.29 — Polymyositis with other organ involvement
Same CMS-HCC risk category (V28)
CMS maps these diagnoses to the same Hierarchical Condition Categories (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders) for risk-adjusted payment.
M33.01 — Juvenile dermatomyositis with respiratory involvement (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders), M33.02 — Juvenile dermatomyositis with myopathy (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.03 — Juvenile dermatomyositis without myopathy (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.09 — Juvenile dermatomyositis with other organ involvement (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.10 — Other dermatomyositis, organ involvement unspecified (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.11 — Other dermatomyositis with respiratory involvement (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders), M33.12 — Other dermatomyositis with myopathy (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.13 — Other dermatomyositis without myopathy (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.19 — Other dermatomyositis with other organ involvement (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.20 — Polymyositis, organ involvement unspecified (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.22 — Polymyositis with myopathy (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.29 — Polymyositis with other organ involvement (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.90 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified, organ involvement unspecified (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.91 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified with respiratory involvement (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders), M33.92 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified with myopathy (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.93 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified without myopathy (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M33.99 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified with other organ involvement (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M34.0 — Progressive systemic sclerosis (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M34.1 — CR(E)ST syndrome (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), M34.81 — Systemic sclerosis with lung involvement (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders), +562 more
Related risk categories
These categories interact through CMS's HCC hierarchy — one can suppress the other's risk-adjustment weight when both are present on a claim.
Lung Transplant Status/Complications, Cystic Fibrosis, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Lung Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis, Severe Persistent Asthma, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Other Specified Systemic Connective Tissue Disorders
Same clinical category (CCSR)
AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Systemic lupus erythematosus and connective tissue disorders).
M33.01 — Juvenile dermatomyositis with respiratory involvement, M33.02 — Juvenile dermatomyositis with myopathy, M33.03 — Juvenile dermatomyositis without myopathy, M33.09 — Juvenile dermatomyositis with other organ involvement, M33.10 — Other dermatomyositis, organ involvement unspecified, M33.11 — Other dermatomyositis with respiratory involvement, M33.12 — Other dermatomyositis with myopathy, M33.13 — Other dermatomyositis without myopathy, M33.19 — Other dermatomyositis with other organ involvement, M33.20 — Polymyositis, organ involvement unspecified, M33.22 — Polymyositis with myopathy, M33.29 — Polymyositis with other organ involvement, M33.90 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified, organ involvement unspecified, M33.91 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified with respiratory involvement, M33.92 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified with myopathy, M33.93 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified without myopathy, M33.99 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified with other organ involvement, M34.0 — Progressive systemic sclerosis, M34.1 — CR(E)ST syndrome, M34.2 — Systemic sclerosis induced by drug and chemical, +72 more
Lab tests where this diagnosis supports Medicare coverage (NCD)
Medicare's National Coverage Determination (NCD) program lists this diagnosis as medical justification for these lab tests.
Contextual Map
Every relationship of M33.21 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.
Run M33.21 with these 12 related codes in Claim Check
Hierarchy
- M00-M99 — Chapter 13: Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99) (M00-M99)[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
- M30-M36 — Systemic connective tissue disorders[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
Referenced by Excludes1 notes
- G72 — Other and unspecified myopathies[Excludes1](via M33.-): “dermatopolymyositis (M33.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
- J99 — Respiratory disorders in diseases classified elsewhere[Excludes1]: “polymyositis (M33.21)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
- L94 — Other localized connective tissue disorders[Excludes1](via M33.-): “systemic connective tissue disorders (M30-M36)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
- M60 — Myositis[Excludes1](via M33.-): “dermatopolymyositis (M33.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
- M60-M63 — Disorders of muscles (M60-M63)[Excludes1](via M33.-): “dermatopolymyositis (M33.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
- M61 — Calcification and ossification of muscle[Excludes1](via M33.-): “dermatopolymyositis (M33.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
- M62 — Other disorders of muscle[Excludes1](via M33.-): “dermatopolymyositis (M33.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
- M63 — Disorders of muscle in diseases classified elsewhere[Excludes1](via M33.-): “dermatopolymyositis (M33.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
Referenced by Excludes2 notes
- I77 — Other disorders of arteries and arterioles[Excludes2](via M33.-): “collagen (vascular) diseases (M30-M36)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
- J82 — Pulmonary eosinophilia, not elsewhere classified[Excludes2](via M33.-): “pulmonary eosinophilia due to systemic connective tissue disorders (M30-M36)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
Referenced by Code First instructions
- J84.170 — Interstitial lung disease with progressive fibrotic phenotype in diseases classified elsewhere[Code First](via M33.-): “systemic connective tissue disorders (M30-M36)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
Referenced by Code Also instructions
- I27.21 — Secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension[Code Also](via M33.2.-): “polymyositis (M33.2-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
Clinical classification (CCSR)
- MUS024 — Systemic lupus erythematosus and connective tissue disorders[CCSR]— AHRQ CCSR for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses (HCUP)
Risk adjustment (CMS-HCC)
- HCC 280 — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disorders, and Other Chronic Lung Disorders [CMS-HCC]— CMS-HCC V28 · 2026
- HCC 93 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders [CMS-HCC]: “Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Specified Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders — supersedes HCC 94 (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Other Specified Systemic Connective Tissue Disorders)”— CMS-HCC V28 · 2026
MS-DRG Grouper
- CC — Complication or Comorbidity [MS-DRG severity]: “As a secondary diagnosis this code can raise the stay's MS-DRG severity tier (CC).”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix C) · FY2026
- DRG 545 — CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS WITH MCC[MS-DRG]: “CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS WITH MCC (MDC 08)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
- DRG 546 — CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS WITH CC[MS-DRG]: “CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS WITH CC (MDC 08)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
- DRG 547 — CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS WITHOUT CC/MCC[MS-DRG]: “CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 08)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
MDC crossing
- MDC 08 — Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 18,508 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026
Index entries
- Polymyositis (acute) (chronic) (hemorrhagic), with, respiratory involvement[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2026
Nearest codes (23)
- M33 — Dermatopolymyositis[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
- M33.0 — Juvenile dermatomyositis[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
- M33.00 — Juvenile dermatomyositis, organ involvement unspecified[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
- M33.01 — Juvenile dermatomyositis with respiratory involvement[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
- M33.02 — Juvenile dermatomyositis with myopathy[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
- M33.03 — Juvenile dermatomyositis without myopathy[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
- M33.09 — Juvenile dermatomyositis with other organ involvement[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
- M33.1 — Other dermatomyositis[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
- and 15 more
Change history
- FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016
Sources for this page
Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.
- Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
- CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2026 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2025 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
- Claim edits Official source data
- CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v43.1 (April 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
- Inpatient payment groups Official source data
- CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v43 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
- Risk adjustment Official source data
- 2026 Mid-Year Final ICD-10 Mappings + Model Software (cms.gov/files/zip/2026-midyear-final-icd-10-mappings.zip, 2026-midyear-final-model-software.zip) — CMS-HCC V28, PY2026 mid-year final release Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
- Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
- CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
- Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder structured relationship
- Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
- Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder explanation
- Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.
Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder structured relationship · MedCoder explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates
Cite this page
Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.
MedCoder.ai. "M33.21 — Polymyositis with respiratory involvement." ICD-10-CM FY2026. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/m33.21-polymyositis-with-respiratory-involvement
Change history
- FY2016 — October 1, 2015In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoptionPolymyositis with respiratory involvement
No changes since FY2016 — additions, deletions, description changes and billable-status changes are tracked through FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026), and none are recorded for this code. Note changes are tracked from FY2027 only.
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to M33.21 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- M33.12 — Other dermatomyositis with myopathy
- M33.13 — Other dermatomyositis without myopathy
- M33.19 — Other dermatomyositis with other organ involvement
- M33.2 — Polymyositis
- M33.20 — Polymyositis, organ involvement unspecified
- M33.22 — Polymyositis with myopathy
- M33.29 — Polymyositis with other organ involvement
- M33.9 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified
- M33.90 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified, organ involvement unspecified
- M33.91 — Dermatopolymyositis, unspecified with respiratory involvement