Question 1

What is ICD-10 code M71.342?

Accepted Answer

M71.342 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other bursal cyst, left hand. A fluid-filled sac (cyst) that forms in the bursa, which is a small cushioning pouch near joints, located on the left hand. M71.342 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (m00-m99), within the section covering other soft tissue disorders (m70-m79).

M71.342 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.

Verify left hand laterality is explicitly documented to avoid miscoding as right-sided.

Question 2

Is M71.342 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

No. M71.342 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 M71.342 billable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. M71.342 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. M71.342 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

Which HCC does M71.342 map to under V28?

Accepted Answer

M71.342 does not map to a CMS-HCC V28 payment category. Check the current CMS-HCC V28 model file for payment year 2026 rather than an older V24 tip sheet.

Question 5

What does M71.342 pay in RAF?

Accepted Answer

M71.342 has no separately stated V28 community RAF weight. If it is not a V28 payment HCC, it adds nothing to a community RAF score.

Question 6

What is the V28 vs V24 difference for M71.342?

Accepted Answer

M71.342 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 community model rewards M71.342 with a risk adjustment factor, it contributes zero to a Medicare Advantage beneficiary's V28/V24 community RAF score in either version. Coders should check whether provider documentation supports a more specific child code that does map to a community payment HCC.

Question 7

What documentation supports M71.342?

Accepted Answer

Verify left hand laterality is explicitly documented to avoid miscoding as right-sided Distinguish hand bursal cysts from other hand masses or ganglion cysts M71.342 is not a CMS-HCC payment code, so MEAT is not the payment hook. Documentation still has to support the diagnosis if you report it.

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M71.342

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M71.342 ICD-10-CM Code: Other bursal cyst, left hand

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M71.342

Is M71.342 an HCC code?

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