The diagnosis code M17.0, as defined within the ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification), specifically refers to Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of the knee. This code is crucial for medical billing, record-keeping, and epidemiological statistics within the healthcare system, particularly in regions that adopt the ICD-10-CM standard.
M17.0 is categorized as a billable/specific code, meaning it is precise enough to be used directly on claims for reimbursement. This specificity is essential for accurate healthcare administration and insurance processing. The code officially came into effect on October 1, 2015, with the initial release of the non-draft ICD-10-CM, and the 2025 edition, effective October 1, 2024, remains unchanged, indicating its continued relevance and stability in the diagnostic coding system. It’s important to note that while M17.0 is the American ICD-10-CM version, international versions of ICD-10 for the same condition may have variations.
Within the ICD-10-CM framework, M17.0 falls under a broader group of codes that include annotation back-references. These back-references are essentially cross-references to other codes that share related annotations. These annotations can include “Applicable To,” “Code Also,” “Code First,” “Excludes1,” “Excludes2,” “Includes,” “Note,” or “Use Additional” instructions. These annotations provide further context and guidance when using diagnosis code M17.0, ensuring accurate and comprehensive coding practices.
Several approximate synonyms are associated with diagnosis code M17.0, which are helpful in understanding the clinical descriptions it encompasses. These include:
- Arthritis of bilateral knees
- Bilateral arthritis of knees
- Osteoarthritis of bilat knees
- Osteoarthritis of bilateral knee patellofemoral joints
- Osteoarthritis of bilateral knees
- Osteoarthritis of bilateral patellofemoral joints
- Osteoarthritis of both knees
- Primary osteoarthritis of bilat knees
- Primary osteoarthritis of both knees
These synonyms highlight the various ways healthcare professionals might document this condition, all converging on the same diagnosis code, M17.0. Furthermore, for statistical and reimbursement purposes, ICD-10-CM diagnosis code M17.0 is grouped within Diagnostic Related Groups (MS-DRG v42.0).
Code History for M17.0 shows a consistent application since its introduction:
- 2016 (effective 10/1/2015): New code
- 2017 – 2025: No change
This stable code history indicates that the definition and application of diagnosis code M17.0 for Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of the knee have remained consistent over the years, providing a reliable and long-term diagnostic classification.
Understanding diagnosis code M17.0 is essential for anyone working with medical records, billing, or healthcare data analysis, ensuring accurate representation and management of patient conditions related to bilateral primary osteoarthritis of the knee. For those needing to convert M17.0 to ICD-9-CM for historical data comparison or system compatibility, conversion tools are available. It is also positioned within a range of related ICD-10-CM codes, including those for unilateral osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis of the hip, allowing for a comprehensive classification of joint-related conditions. Remember that for all reimbursement claims with service dates on or after October 1, 2015, using ICD-10-CM codes like M17.0 is mandatory.
