Ganglion cysts are common, benign lumps that often develop near joints or tendons, particularly in the wrist and hand. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and proper medical billing. In the United States, the Diagnosis Code For Ganglion Cyst is meticulously categorized under the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM). Specifically, code M67.40 is designated for “Ganglion, unspecified site.”
ICD-10-CM code M67.40 is a billable and specific code, meaning it is recognized by healthcare providers and insurance companies for reimbursement purposes when diagnosing a ganglion cyst at an unspecified location. This code officially came into effect on October 1, 2015, with the adoption of ICD-10-CM, and the latest 2025 edition remains current as of October 1, 2024. It’s important to note that while M67.40 is the US standard, international versions of ICD-10 for ganglion cysts may differ.
Several terms are considered approximate synonyms for M67.40, which can help in understanding the scope of this diagnosis code. These include:
- Ganglion cyst
- Ganglion cyst of joint
- Ganglion of joint
- Ganglion of tendon sheath
These synonyms highlight that M67.40 encompasses ganglion cysts associated with joints and tendon sheaths, regardless of the specific location, as long as it is not specified further in the medical record.
The code M67.40 falls under the broader category of “Ganglion” (M67.4) and is further classified within musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases. For reimbursement and billing purposes, ICD-10-CM M67.40 is categorized under Diagnostic Related Groups (MS-DRG v42.0).
Looking at the code history, M67.40 was established as a new code in 2016, marking the first year of the non-draft ICD-10-CM. Since then, there have been no changes to this code through the 2025 edition, indicating its continued relevance and accuracy in classifying ganglion cysts of unspecified sites.
It’s also useful to understand the codes adjacent to M67.40 within the ICD-10-CM system. These include codes for transient synovitis (M67.36-M67.39) and other more specific ganglion codes such as:
- M67.41 – Ganglion, shoulder
- M67.42 – Ganglion, elbow
- M67.43 – Ganglion, wrist
Understanding the diagnosis code for ganglion cyst, specifically M67.40, is essential for medical coding accuracy, claim processing, and epidemiological tracking of this common condition. For services rendered on or after October 1, 2015, the use of ICD-10-CM codes, including M67.40, is mandatory for reimbursement claims.
