FY2027
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Excludes1 pair

M24- vs M35.7

M24 and M35.7 are not coded together. ICD-10-CM declares them mutually exclusive with an Excludes1 note — the two conditions are not expected to occur together, so exactly one of them is normally correct for a given encounter. The Official Guidelines carve out one exception: if the two conditions are clearly unrelated to each other, both may be reported.

The official note, declared on M35.7
ligamentous laxity, NOS (M24.2-)
M24

Other specific joint derangements

Not billable
Chapter 13
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Section
M20-M25
M35.7

Hypermobility syndrome

Billable
Chapter 13
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Section
M30-M36
Use when the record says
  • Familial ligamentous laxity
Indexed under
  • Hypermobility, hypermotility › syndrome
  • Syndrome › hypermobility
  • Lax, laxity › ligament › familial

Excludes1 is not always absolute: where two conditions covered by the note are genuinely unrelated, CMS guidance permits reporting both. Document the reasoning rather than assuming it. More on Excludes1 vs Excludes2 · FY2027