M62.82 classifies rhabdomyolysis — the breakdown of skeletal muscle with release of intracellular contents, including myoglobin, into the bloodstream — when the cause is non-traumatic or idiopathic.
Verified May 8, 2026 · 5 sources ↓
- Status
- Billable
- Chapter
- 13
- Related CPT
- 7
- Region
- General
Documentation tips
What should appear in the chart to support M62.82.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in 5 cited references ↓
- Record the precipitating cause explicitly (e.g., exertional, drug-induced, heat-related, immobilization) — this determines M62.82 vs. T79.6 and supports medical necessity.
- Document CK level with the numeric value and reference range; CK >1,000 IU/L or >5x upper limit of normal is the standard laboratory threshold supporting rhabdomyolysis.
- Note presence or absence of myoglobinuria; if present and treated, document it — R82.1 can be coded additionally when myoglobinuria is separately addressed.
- If acute kidney injury is diagnosed concurrently, document serum creatinine trend and urine output changes so N17.x can be accurately assigned as an additional code.
- For heatstroke-associated rhabdomyolysis, the tabular 'Use Additional' instruction requires T67.0x- to be listed alongside M62.82 — ensure the heatstroke diagnosis is explicitly stated in the note.
Related CPT procedures
Procedure codes commonly billed with M62.82. Linking the right diagnosis to the right procedure is what establishes medical necessity.
Source · CMS LCDs · AAOS specialty guidance · claims-pattern analysis
Common coding pitfalls
The recurring mistakes coders make with M62.82 and adjacent codes.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CDC ICD-10-CM tabular guidance, AAOS coding references, and cited references ↓
- Using M62.82 when trauma is the documented cause — traumatic rhabdomyolysis codes to T79.6, not M62.82; the distinction is clinician-documented etiology, not clinical presentation.
- Assigning M62.82 based on a provider note of 'suspected' or 'possible' rhabdomyolysis before laboratory results are confirmed — code signs/symptoms (e.g., myalgia, elevated CK) until the diagnosis is established.
- Coding M62.2 (Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle) alongside M62.82 — the Type 1 Excludes note prohibits simultaneous use of these two codes.
- Omitting secondary codes for comorbid conditions such as AKI (N17.x) or heatstroke (T67.0x-) that are required or strongly recommended by tabular instructional notes.
Clinical context
Source · Editorial summary grounded in 5 cited references ↓
M62.82 is the go-to code for rhabdomyolysis in the absence of a documented traumatic cause. Common non-traumatic triggers seen in orthopedic settings include exertional rhabdomyolysis after intense physical activity or overtraining, statin-induced myopathy, prolonged immobilization, heatstroke, and post-surgical muscle compromise. When heatstroke is a contributing factor, use M62.82 as an additional code alongside a T67.0x- code per the 'Use Additional' instruction in the tabular list.
If trauma is clearly documented as the direct cause of muscle ischemia and breakdown, do not use M62.82 — code instead to T79.6 (Traumatic ischemia of muscle). The Type 1 Excludes note at M62.2 (Nontraumatic ischemic infarction of muscle) prohibits using that code simultaneously with M62.82; these two conditions are mutually exclusive by definition.
In orthopedic practice, exertional rhabdomyolysis following aggressive rehabilitation, return-to-sport protocols, or military-style fitness programs is a clinically relevant scenario. Acute kidney injury (AKI, N17.x) frequently accompanies severe cases and should be coded additionally when documented. Laboratory confirmation — CK greater than 1,000 IU/L or five times the upper limit of normal, and/or myoglobinuria — underpins the diagnosis and should appear in the medical record.
Inclusion & exclusion notes
Per the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Source · CDC ICD-10-CM Official Tabular List · 2026
Excludes 1 — never code together
- traumatic rhabdomyolysis (T79.6)
Sibling codes
Other billable codes under M62.8 (laterality / anatomic variants).
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 5 cited references ↓
01What is the difference between M62.82 and T79.6 for rhabdomyolysis?
02Can M62.82 and M62.2 be coded together?
03Should acute kidney injury be coded separately with M62.82?
04What laboratory values support the use of M62.82?
05Is M62.82 appropriate for exertional rhabdomyolysis after intense physical therapy or rehabilitation?
06When heatstroke triggers rhabdomyolysis, how should the encounter be coded?
07Can M62.82 be assigned when the diagnosis is still 'suspected' at the time of service?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources. Last verified May 8, 2026.
- 01CDC ICD-10-CM Tabular List 2026 (effective Oct 1, 2025)
- 02icd10data.comhttps://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/M00-M99/M60-M63/M62-/M62.82
- 03icdcodes.aihttps://icdcodes.ai/diagnosis/rhabdomyolysis/documentation
- 04health.milhttps://www.health.mil/Reference-Center/Publications/2017/03/01/Rhabdomyolysis-Exertional
- 05cdek.pharmacy.purdue.eduhttps://cdek.pharmacy.purdue.edu/icd10/M62.82/
Mira AI Scribe
The Mira AI Scribe captures the precipitating cause (exertional, drug-induced, heat-related, or immobilization), CK value with reference range, presence of myoglobinuria, and any concurrent AKI indicators from the encounter note. This prevents defaulting to an unspecified muscle disorder code, missing required additional codes like N17.x or T67.0x-, and audit exposure from assigning M62.82 when trauma-driven T79.6 is correct.
See how Mira captures M62.82 documentation