What is ICD-10 code G71.02?

G71.02 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. A genetic muscle disease causing progressive weakness that typically starts in the face, shoulders, and upper arms, often with a slower progression than other muscular dystrophies. G71.02 is a billable code, meaning it can be reported on a claim as a primary or secondary diagnosis when supported by documentation. G71.02 is part of the FY2026 ICD-10-CM code set published by the CMS National Center for Health Statistics and used on Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial claims in the United States.

Yes. G71.02 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can be reported on professional and institutional claims as a primary or secondary diagnosis when the provider documentation supports the specific condition described. Billable codes in ICD-10-CM are coded to the highest level of specificity available for the documented diagnosis. G71.02 is current for fiscal year 2026 and remains in the active CMS ICD-10-CM code set published by the National Center for Health Statistics.

What is the V28 vs V24 difference for G71.02?

CMS phased in the V28 risk adjustment model over payment years 2024 (33%), 2025 (67%), and 2026 (100%), replacing V24. V28 consolidates HCC categories, removes some lower-acuity conditions, and recalibrates RAF weights across the entire model. For G71.02, V28 maps to Muscular Dystrophy at RAF 0.000 while V24 mapped to Muscular Dystrophy at RAF 0.358. Both models can still appear in legacy data and in payer-specific lookback periods.

What should coders know when reporting G71.02?

This condition typically presents with facial weakness and scapular winging Document the pattern of muscle involvement to support the diagnosis Because G71.02 maps to a payment HCC, the documentation must also satisfy MEAT criteria (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) for the encounter to count toward the patient's risk adjustment score.

G71.02 ICD-10 Code: Facioscapulohumeral muscular

ICD-10-CM Code View

HCC Buddy Code Card

Digital ICD-10 code-book layout with official code detail, always-visible risk models, Code Trumping, and Buddy coding guidance.

Code lookupG71.02Effective periodFY2026 Apr Update (Apr 1-Sep 30)

FY 2026 Apr update / Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99) / Diseases of myoneural junction and muscle (G70-G73)

G71.02

Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidance

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

A genetic muscle disease causing progressive weakness that typically starts in the face, shoulders, and upper arms, often with a slower progression than other muscular dystrophies.

Buddy Insight

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is the third most common form of muscular dystrophy, characterized by progressive weakness starting in the face, shoulder blades, and upper arms.

CMS-HCC V28

Mapped

HCC 197

Muscular Dystrophy

RAF 0.0

CMS-HCC V24

Mapped

HCC 76

Muscular Dystrophy

RAF 0.358

ACA/HHS

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

RAF 0

ESRD/PACE

Mapped

HCC 76

Muscular Dystrophy

RAF 0.0

RXHCC

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

RAF 0

Code Trumping

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Code Book Path

Official

G71Primary disorders of muscles

G71.0Muscular dystrophy

G71.02Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

Inclusion Terms

Official

Scapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

Excludes 2

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for G71.02 in this effective period.

Related Child Codes

Official

G71.00Muscular dystrophy, unspecified

G71.01Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy

G71.03Limb girdle muscular dystrophies

G71.09Other specified muscular dystrophies

Includes

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for G71.02 in this effective period.

Excludes 1

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for G71.02 in this effective period.

Code First

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for G71.02 in this effective period.

Use Additional

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for G71.02 in this effective period.

Code Also

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for G71.02 in this effective period.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance

Characteristic clinical pattern: facial weakness, scapular winging, upper arm weakness

Genetic testing confirming D4Z4 repeat contraction on chromosome 4 or other genetic confirmation

Age of onset (typically adolescence to young adulthood)

Functional assessment: facial expression, arm elevation, ambulation status

MEAT Support

HCC Buddy guidance

Characteristic clinical pattern: facial weakness, scapular winging, upper arm weakness

Genetic testing confirming D4Z4 repeat contraction on chromosome 4 or other genetic confirmation

Age of onset (typically adolescence to young adulthood)

Functional assessment: facial expression, arm elevation, ambulation status

Audit Caution

HCC Buddy guidance

Using the unspecified muscular dystrophy code when facioscapulohumeral type is clearly documented

Not recognizing the facial weakness component that distinguishes this from limb girdle muscular dystrophy

Failing to code associated hearing loss or retinal complications separately when present

Missing the variable expressivity of this condition — some patients may have very mild symptoms that are still codeable

Common Mistakes

HCC Buddy guidance

G71.031 — Limb girdle muscular dystrophy affects hips and shoulders without facial involvement

G71.01 — Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy has different genetic basis and distribution pattern

G71.09 — Other specified muscular dystrophies is a catch-all that should not be used when facioscapulohumeral type is documented

G71.00 — Muscular dystrophy, unspecified should not be used when this specific type is confirmed

Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr update, Apr 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026. CMS-HCC V28 is 100% phased in for payment year 2026.

Is G71.02 an HCC code?

Yes. G71.02 maps to Muscular Dystrophy under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model (and Muscular Dystrophy under V24).

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 197, Muscular Dystrophy

0.000

V24HCC 76, Muscular Dystrophy

0.358

ESRDHCC 76, Muscular Dystrophy

0.000

RAF weights shown are the community, non-dual, aged base weights from the CMS risk adjustment model file. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member segment, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains in use during the transition and for historical data.

MEAT Criteria for G71.02

For G71.02to count as a valid HCC diagnosis in a given encounter, the provider's documentation must show MEAT: Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat. A diagnosis from a prior year does not carry forward automatically, it has to be re-documented and supported each calendar year.

MMonitor: signs, symptoms, disease progression, or lab trending documented in the note
EEvaluate: test results, medication response, or physical findings reviewed by the provider
AAssess: explicit mention in the assessment or plan with acknowledgment of status
TTreat: medication, referral, procedure, therapy, or counseling tied to the diagnosis

Only one of M/E/A/T is required to support the code, but the documentation must be specific enough to show that the provider actually addressed G71.02 during that encounter, not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.

What This Code Means

G71.02 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. A genetic muscle disease causing progressive weakness that typically starts in the face, shoulders, and upper arms, often with a slower progression than other muscular dystrophies. G71.02 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the nervous system (g00-g99), within the section covering diseases of myoneural junction and muscle (g70-g73).

Under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model, G71.02 maps to Muscular Dystrophy (HCC 197) with a community, non-dual, aged base RAF weight of 0.000. Under the older V24 model, G71.02 mapped to the same category but with a base RAF weight of 0.358, V28 recalibrated weights across the entire model. V28 is the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model that reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition.

This condition typically presents with facial weakness and scapular winging. Because G71.02 maps to a payment HCC, the provider's documentation must satisfy MEAT criteria (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) for the encounter to count toward the patient's Medicare Advantage risk adjustment score. When documentation is ambiguous, coders should issue a provider query rather than assume the highest-specificity variant.

HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for G71.02 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

•This condition typically presents with facial weakness and scapular winging
•Document the pattern of muscle involvement to support the diagnosis

Clinical Significance

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is the third most common form of muscular dystrophy, characterized by progressive weakness starting in the face, shoulder blades, and upper arms. While generally milder than Duchenne type, it still significantly impacts patient function and quality of life. Accurate capture ensures appropriate risk adjustment for patients requiring ongoing neurological and rehabilitative care.

Documentation Requirements

✓Characteristic clinical pattern: facial weakness, scapular winging, upper arm weakness
✓Genetic testing confirming D4Z4 repeat contraction on chromosome 4 or other genetic confirmation
✓Age of onset (typically adolescence to young adulthood)
✓Functional assessment: facial expression, arm elevation, ambulation status
✓Associated features: hearing loss, retinal vasculopathy if present
✓Provider's explicit diagnosis of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

Commonly Confused Codes

•G71.031: Limb girdle muscular dystrophy affects hips and shoulders without facial involvement
•G71.01: Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy has different genetic basis and distribution pattern
•G71.09: Other specified muscular dystrophies is a catch-all that should not be used when facioscapulohumeral type is documented
•G71.00: Muscular dystrophy, unspecified should not be used when this specific type is confirmed