ICD-10-CM 2026 · Effective October 1, 2025

ICD-10 M36.8

Billable / Specific HCC v28: 40

Systemic disorders of connective tissue in other diseases classified elsewhere

M36
Block
0
Synonyms
2
LCDs
3
Payer Policies
0
Linked CPTs

About ICD-10-CM M36.8

ICD-10-CM code M36.8 represents Systemic disorders of connective tissue in other diseases classified elsewhere. This is a billable/specific code in the Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue chapter (block M36). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM M36.8 became effective on October 1, 2025.

Coding Tips for M36.8

Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.

HCC capture: document with MEAT each year

M36.8 is a CMS-HCC v28 risk-adjustment code (category 40). To count for the patient Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF), document the diagnosis with MEAT language each calendar year: Monitored, Evaluated, Assessed, Treated. A diagnosis on the problem list alone does not satisfy CMS RADV audit standards. Include the diagnosis in the assessment with current status and current treatment plan.

Coding Notes

Code First

  • underlying disease, such as:
  • alkaptonuria (E70.29)
  • hypogammaglobulinemia (D80.-)
  • ochronosis (E70.29)

Medicare Advantage HCC Impact

CMS-HCC v28 (current)
Category 40
ESRD-HCC
Category 40
RxHCC (Part D)
Category 40

Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate risk adjustment. Missed HCC captures are the #1 revenue leak in Medicare Advantage risk programs.

Medicare LCD Coverage for M36.8

Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list M36.8 as a covered diagnosis.

2 LCDs

Showing top 2. Click a CPT for full coverage scope.

CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Sedimentation Rate, Erythrocyte
Article ID: 57657, Effective: 2024-10-01 00:00:00, 1430 covered, 1 non-covered
CPT 85651 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Sedimentation Rate, Erythrocyte
Article ID: 57657, Effective: 2024-10-01 00:00:00, 1430 covered, 1 non-covered
CPT 85652 →

Commercial Payer Coverage

Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing M36.8.

3 policies

1 Cigna

Transthoracic Echocardiography in Children - (0523)
Policy ID: MM_0523

1 Medicare

Billing and Coding: Sedimentation Rate, Erythrocyte
Policy ID: ART-57657

1 Aetna

Fetal Echocardiography and Magnetocardiography
Policy ID: CPB-0106

CPT Codes Commonly Billed with M36.8

Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.

No procedure linkages on file for M36.8

We don't have CPT pairings indexed for this specific code yet. Use the CPT search above to find common procedures, or check your payer's published medical policy for code-specific guidance.

Convert M36.8 to ICD-9-CM

Per CMS General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.

ICD-10ICD-9Mapping Flags
M36.8 7109 10000

Flags format (5 digits): Approximate · No Map · Combination · Scenario · Choice List. Source: CMS 2017 GEMs (final version).

ICD-10 M36.8, Billing FAQ

Is ICD-10 code M36.8 billable? +

Yes, M36.8 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can appear as a primary or secondary diagnosis on claims.

Does M36.8 affect Medicare Advantage HCC risk adjustment? +

Yes. M36.8 maps to CMS-HCC v28 category 40. Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate Medicare Advantage risk score.

What ICD-9 codes does M36.8 map to? +

Per CMS GEMs, M36.8 maps to ICD-9 codes: 7109. Useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.

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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team

Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.

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