Question 1

What is ICD-10 code M61.551?

Accepted Answer

M61.551 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other ossification of muscle, right thigh. Abnormal bone formation within the muscles of the right thigh. M61.551 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (m00-m99), within the section covering disorders of muscles (m60-m63).

M61.551 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions but it does not contribute to a beneficiary's RAF score and therefore does not affect risk-adjusted payments to the plan.

Specify right thigh to distinguish from left thigh (M61.552); common after hip surgery or trauma.

Question 2

Is M61.551 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

No. M61.551 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any payment HCC category under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can still be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions, but it does not contribute to the beneficiary's Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF) score and therefore does not affect the risk-adjusted capitation payment to the plan. V28 reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026.

Question 3

Is M61.551 billable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. M61.551 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. M61.551 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.

Question 4

What is the V28 vs V24 difference for M61.551?

Accepted Answer

M61.551 does not map to a payment HCC under either the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model or the older V24 model. V28 reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition. Because neither model rewards M61.551 with a risk adjustment factor, it contributes zero to a Medicare Advantage beneficiary's RAF score in either version. Coders should check whether provider documentation supports a more specific child code that does map to a payment HCC.

Question 5

What should coders know when reporting M61.551?

Accepted Answer

Specify right thigh to distinguish from left thigh (M61.552); common after hip surgery or trauma Document any associated procedures or injuries that may have triggered heterotopic ossification

M61.551

Is M61.551 an HCC code?

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