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M79.A19 ICD-10-CM Code: Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of unspecified upper extremity

ICD-10-CM Code View

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FY 2026 Apr update / Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99) / Other soft tissue disorders (M70-M79)

M79.A19

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

Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of unspecified upper extremity

A serious condition where pressure builds up in the muscle compartments of an arm (side not specified) without trauma, potentially restricting blood flow and damaging tissues.

CMS-HCC V28

N/A

Not mapped

CMS-HCC V24

N/A

Not mapped

ACA/HHS

N/A

Not mapped

ESRD/PACE

N/A

Not mapped

RXHCC

N/A

Not mapped

Code Book Path

Official
M79.ANontraumatic compartment syndrome
M79.A1Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of upper extremity
M79.A19Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of unspecified upper extremity

Inclusion Terms

Official
  • Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of shoulder, arm, forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers

Excludes 2

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for M79.A19 in this effective period.

Related Child Codes

Official
M79.A11Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of right upper extremity
M79.A12Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of left upper extremity

Includes

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for M79.A19 in this effective period.

Excludes 1

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for M79.A19 in this effective period.

Code First

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for M79.A19 in this effective period.

Use Additional

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for M79.A19 in this effective period.

Code Also

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for M79.A19 in this effective period.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance
Use this code only when the specific arm (right or left) is not documented
Query the provider for laterality documentation to assign the more specific M79.A11 or M79.A12

Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →

Is M79.A19 an HCC code?

No. M79.A19 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.

Code
M79.A19
Description
Nontraumatic compartment syndrome of unspecified upper extremity
HCC (V28)
No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
RAF
Billable
Yes
Payment year
2026

Coder workflow notes

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This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).

What This Code Means

M79.A19 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for nontraumatic compartment syndrome of unspecified upper extremity. A serious condition where pressure builds up in the muscle compartments of an arm (side not specified) without trauma, potentially restricting blood flow and damaging tissues. M79.A19 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).

M79.A19 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.

Use this code only when the specific arm (right or left) is not documented.

HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for M79.A19 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

  • Use this code only when the specific arm (right or left) is not documented
  • Query the provider for laterality documentation to assign the more specific M79.A11 or M79.A12

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

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