M71.89

M71.89 captures other specified bursopathies — excluding the named subtypes (abscess, synovial cyst, calcium deposit, infective) — when the condition involves multiple anatomic sites simultaneously.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 4 sources ↓

Status: Billable
Chapter: 13
Related CPT: 5
Region: Multi-region

Drawn from CDCICD10DataAAPC

Documentation tips

What should appear in the chart to support M71.89.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 4 cited references ↓

Explicitly name each anatomical site affected — vague references to 'multiple areas' will not support medical necessity on audit.
Distinguish from M70 series: document whether the bursopathy is related to occupational or repetitive use; if not, M71.89 is appropriate.
Record the type of bursopathy (e.g., calcific, inflammatory, idiopathic) so reviewers can confirm why a more specific M71 sub-code doesn't apply.
If imaging was obtained, note bursal involvement at each named site — ultrasound or MRI findings referencing fluid, thickening, or calcification at discrete bursal structures strengthen the multi-site justification.
Document any underlying systemic disease (e.g., gout, rheumatoid arthritis) that may be driving the multi-site presentation, and code those conditions separately per ICD-10-CM guidelines.

Related CPT procedures

Procedure codes commonly billed with M71.89. Linking the right diagnosis to the right procedure is what establishes medical necessity.

Source · CMS LCDs · AAOS specialty guidance · claims-pattern analysis

20610 $68.81

Aspiration and/or injection of a major joint or bursa (shoulder, hip, knee, or subacromial bursa) performed without ultrasound guidance.

20605 $57.12

Aspiration and/or injection of an intermediate joint or bursa — such as the wrist, elbow, ankle, acromioclavicular joint, or olecranon bursa — performed without ultrasound guidance.

20600 $56.11

Needle aspiration and/or injection of a small joint or bursa — such as a finger or toe joint — performed without ultrasound guidance.

29125 $79.16

Application of a static (non-articulating) short arm splint extending from the forearm to the hand, used to immobilize the wrist or forearm for injury healing or pre-surgical fracture stabilization.

97140 $27.72

Skilled, hands-on manual therapy techniques — including joint mobilization/manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, and manual traction — applied to one or more body regions, billed per 15-minute unit.

Common coding pitfalls

The recurring mistakes coders make with M71.89 and adjacent codes.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in CDC ICD-10-CM tabular guidance, AAOS coding references, and cited references ↓

Using M71.89 for a single-site bursopathy because the site-specific code is unfamiliar — always check M71.81–M71.88 for site-specific options before defaulting to 'multiple sites.'
Confusing M71.89 with M71.9 (Bursopathy, unspecified) — M71.89 requires a specified type of bursopathy; if the type is unspecified, M71.9 is correct.
Assigning M71.89 when bilateral bursitis at a single joint is documented — bilateral involvement at one joint is not the same as multiple distinct anatomical sites.
Selecting M71.89 instead of an M70 code when the bursitis is directly attributable to repetitive occupational use or overuse — etiology drives the block selection between M70 and M71.

Clinical context

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 4 cited references ↓

Use M71.89 when the clinical record documents a named, non-infective bursopathy type (one that doesn't map to a more specific M71 subcategory) and the pathology spans two or more distinct anatomical sites. The 'multiple sites' designation is the defining feature of this code; if the bursopathy is confined to a single region, select the site-specific code from the M71.8x series (e.g., M71.88 for 'other site').

M71.89 sits within the M71 'Other bursopathies' block, which is distinct from M70 (use- and overuse-related bursopathies). M71 codes apply when etiology is not occupational or mechanical overuse — think calcium deposition, systemic inflammatory disease involvement of bursa, or bursal pathology of unspecified etiology that does not meet infective or synovial cyst criteria. If the bursitis is bilateral at one joint (e.g., bilateral olecranon bursitis), that is not automatically 'multiple sites' — document whether separate anatomic bursal structures are involved.

This code maps to MS-DRG 557 (Tendonitis, Myositis and Bursitis with MCC) or 558 (without MCC) under MS-DRG v43.0. Sequencing matters in inpatient settings: list the principal condition first and confirm whether any MCC is documented and coded separately to capture the higher-weighted DRG.

Sibling codes

Other billable codes under M71.8 (laterality / anatomic variants).

M71.80

Other specified bursopathies, unspecified site

M71.88

Other specified bursopathies, other site

Frequently asked questions

Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 4 cited references ↓

01What makes M71.89 'multiple sites' — does bilateral bursitis at one joint count?

No. 'Multiple sites' means two or more distinct anatomical bursal structures are involved — for example, trochanteric bursa and olecranon bursa together. Bilateral bursitis at a single joint type does not qualify; use the appropriate laterality-specific or unspecified single-site code instead.

02How does M71.89 differ from M71.9?

M71.9 is for bursopathy where the type is unspecified. M71.89 requires the provider to have identified and documented a specific type of bursopathy — just not one that maps to a named subcategory (abscess, synovial cyst, calcium deposit, infective). If the note only says 'bursopathy' with no further characterization, use M71.9.

03When should I use M70 codes instead of M71.89?

Use M70 codes when the bursitis is directly caused by use, overuse, or occupational pressure — for example, prepatellar bursitis from repeated kneeling. M71 applies when etiology is inflammatory, calcific, idiopathic, or otherwise not mechanical/occupational. The AAPC community guidance on M70 vs. M71 reinforces that etiology is the deciding factor.

04Which MS-DRGs does M71.89 map to?

M71.89 groups to MS-DRG 557 (Tendonitis, Myositis and Bursitis with MCC) or MS-DRG 558 (without MCC) under MS-DRG v43.0. Accurate MCC documentation and coding is critical to landing in the higher-weighted DRG.

05Is M71.89 valid for outpatient and inpatient use?

Yes. M71.89 is a fully billable, specific ICD-10-CM code valid for both outpatient professional claims and inpatient facility claims effective October 1, 2015, and unchanged through FY2026.

06Can M71.89 be coded alongside an underlying systemic disease?

Yes — and it often should be. If the multi-site bursopathy is a manifestation of gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or another systemic condition, code the underlying disease separately per ICD-10-CM sequencing guidelines. The systemic condition may be the principal diagnosis depending on the reason for the encounter.

Sources & references

Editorial content was developed using the following public sources. Last verified May 8, 2026.

01CDC ICD-10-CM Tabular List 2026 (effective October 1, 2025)
02
icd10data.com
https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/M00-M99/M70-M79/M71-/M71.89
03
aapc.com
https://www.aapc.com/codes/icd-10-codes/M71
04
aapc.com
https://www.aapc.com/codes/icd-10-codes/M71.9

Mira AI Scribe

Mira captures the distinct bursal structures involved (by name and side), the bursopathy type documented by the provider, any supporting imaging findings at each site, and the absence of occupational or overuse etiology that would redirect to M70. This prevents a drop to M71.9 (unspecified) or a single-site code that underrepresents the clinical picture and exposes the claim to a medical necessity query.

See how Mira captures M71.89 documentation