Skip to main content

Q71.30 ICD-10-CM Code: Congenital absence of unspecified hand and finger

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

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 v44, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 564 — OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DIAGNOSES WITH MCC (MDC 08)
  • MS-DRG 565 — OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DIAGNOSES WITH CC (MDC 08)
  • MS-DRG 566 — OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DIAGNOSES 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.

Coder workflow for Q71.30

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code Q71.30

  1. Unspecified does not mean incorrect. When the record gives no greater specificity, Q71.30 may be the appropriate code. Check the record for detail that supports a more specific sibling. An unspecified code is for records that do not provide the detail a more specific code needs; a query, not an assumption, is the route to specificity (Guidelines I.A.9.b, I.B.18).

    ReviewQ71.31, Q71.32, Q71.33

    See the relationships section · Guide: Other vs unspecified (NEC vs NOS) →

  2. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the side documented — right, left, or bilateral — and select the matching code (this page’s code: unspecified). The unspecified-side code applies only when the record states no side. Laterality is assigned from the documented side; where a bilateral code exists and both sides are documented, it is used instead of two unilateral codes (Guidelines I.B.13).

    ReviewQ71.31 · right, Q71.32 · left

    Guide: Laterality coding →

Choose the right path

  1. Does the record document the detail a more specific sibling code needs?
    Yes → Review the specific siblings in this subcategory.
    No → Continue — Q71.30 is appropriate when the documentation goes no further.

    ReviewQ71.31, Q71.32, Q71.33

  2. Is the side documented?
    Yes → Select the code for the documented side (or the bilateral code when both sides are documented and one exists).
    No → Use the unspecified-side code only when the record states no side; a query is the alternative.

    ReviewQ71.31 · right, Q71.32 · left

Consider Q71.30. 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).
Laterality
Right, left or bilateral as documented; unspecified only when the record states no side (Guidelines I.B.13).
Any detail beyond this code’s title
What the record states that a more specific sibling code would capture — or its absence, which itself supports the unspecified code.

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Documentation: The provider documents the condition in the terms of this code’s title and records no further detail.

Coding question: Is a more specific sibling code supportable?

Path: Review the specific siblings in this subcategory and what each requires the record to state.

Reason: A more specific code needs documentation of the distinguishing element; without it the unspecified code is appropriate, and a provider query is the route to specificity (Guidelines I.A.9.b, I.B.18).

ReviewQ71.31, Q71.32, Q71.33

Documentation: The record documents the condition on one side only.

Coding question: Which code in this family applies?

Path: Select the sibling code for the documented side.

Reason: Laterality is assigned from the documented side; the unspecified-side code is for records that state no side (Guidelines I.B.13).

ReviewQ71.31 · right, Q71.32 · left

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.

Don’t confuse Q71.30 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of Q71.30 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

  • Q71.31— Laterality relationship (Review)

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

    The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

    What moves you there: A documented right side moves the case to Q71.31.

    Full comparison: Q71.30 vs Q71.31 →

  • Q71.32— Laterality relationship (Review)

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

    The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

    What moves you there: A documented left side moves the case to Q71.32.

    Full comparison: Q71.30 vs Q71.32 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Code Overview

Congenital absence of unspecified hand and finger is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (Q71.30).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Verify Before Coding

  • No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

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 Q71.30 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 6 Excludes1 notes across 3 chapters: M20 — Acquired deformities of fingers and toes (via Q71.3.-), M21 — Other acquired deformities of limbs (via Q71.-), M24.3 — Pathological dislocation of joint, not elsewhere classified (via Q71.-), Q68 — Other congenital musculoskeletal deformities (via Q71.-), Q74 — Other congenital malformations of limb(s) (via Q71.-), Z89 — Acquired absence of limb (via Q71.-).

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

Referenced by 1 Excludes2 note: M95 — Other acquired deformities of musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (via Q71.-).

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2027)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2027 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 3 MS-DRGs: DRG 564 (MDC 08), DRG 565 (MDC 08), DRG 566 (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):MAL008 — Musculoskeletal congenital conditions (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 condition, opposite side

Same category and title, differing only in which side of the body is affected.

Q71.31 — Congenital absence of right hand and finger (right)Compare Q71.30 vs Q71.31 →, Q71.32 — Congenital absence of left hand and finger (left)Compare Q71.30 vs Q71.32 →

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Musculoskeletal congenital conditions).

Q71.02 — Congenital complete absence of left upper limb, Q71.03 — Congenital complete absence of upper limb, bilateral, Q71.10 — Congenital absence of unspecified upper arm and forearm with hand present, Q71.11 — Congenital absence of right upper arm and forearm with hand present, Q71.12 — Congenital absence of left upper arm and forearm with hand present, Q71.13 — Congenital absence of upper arm and forearm with hand present, bilateral, Q71.20 — Congenital absence of both forearm and hand, unspecified upper limb, Q71.21 — Congenital absence of both forearm and hand, right upper limb, Q71.22 — Congenital absence of both forearm and hand, left upper limb, Q71.23 — Congenital absence of both forearm and hand, bilateral, Q71.31 — Congenital absence of right hand and finger, Q71.32 — Congenital absence of left hand and finger, Q71.33 — Congenital absence of hand and finger, bilateral, Q71.40 — Longitudinal reduction defect of unspecified radius, Q71.41 — Longitudinal reduction defect of right radius, Q71.42 — Longitudinal reduction defect of left radius, Q71.43 — Longitudinal reduction defect of radius, bilateral, Q71.50 — Longitudinal reduction defect of unspecified ulna, Q71.51 — Longitudinal reduction defect of right ulna, Q71.52 — Longitudinal reduction defect of left ulna, +245 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Agenesis”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

Q55.29 — Other congenital malformations of testis and scrotum (scrotum), Q55.4 — Other congenital malformations of vas deferens, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate (prostate), Q55.5 — Congenital absence and aplasia of penis (penis), Q55.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of male genital organs (genitalia, genital, male), Q60.0 — Renal agenesis, unilateral (renal, unilateral), Q60.1 — Renal agenesis, bilateral (renal, bilateral), Q60.2 — Renal agenesis, unspecified (renal), Q62.4 — Agenesis of ureter (ureter), Q64.5 — Congenital absence of bladder and urethra (bladder), Q64.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of urinary system (urinary tract NEC), Q72.0 — Congenital complete absence of lower limb (leg), Q72.1 — Congenital absence of thigh and lower leg with foot present (leg, with foot present), Q72.2 — Congenital absence of both lower leg and foot (leg, lower leg, and foot), Q72.3 — Congenital absence of foot and toe(s) (foot), Q73.0 — Congenital absence of unspecified limb(s) (limb), Q74.0 — Other congenital malformations of upper limb(s), including shoulder girdle (scapula), Q74.1 — Congenital malformation of knee (patella), Q74.2 — Other congenital malformations of lower limb(s), including pelvic girdle (pelvic girdle), Q75.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of skull and face bones (skull), Q76.49 — Other congenital malformations of spine, not associated with scoliosis (spine), +91 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of Q71.30 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 Q71.30 with these 7 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

Clinical classification (CCSR)

MS-DRG Grouper

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. 18,439 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027

Nearest codes (40)

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 FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 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 — v44 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. "Q71.30 — Congenital absence of unspecified hand and finger." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/q71.30-congenital-absence-of-unspecified-hand-and-finger

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Congenital absence of unspecified hand and finger

No changes since FY2016 — additions, deletions, description changes and billable-status changes are tracked through FY2027, 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 Q71.30 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the Q71 family