M17.9: Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified
M17.9, osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 5 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 74 HCPCS Level II codes, including J7328 (Hyaluronan or derivative, gelsyn-3, for intra-articular…), J7318 (Hyaluronan or derivative, durolane, for intra-articular…), J7325 (Hyaluronan or derivative, synvisc or synvisc-one, for…). 47 of these codes have a 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule amount; L1844 pays $1,865.51 to $2,436.24 depending on the state. The articles come from 3 Medicare contractors. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.
HCPCS Level II codes with M17.9 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J7328 | Hyaluronan or derivative, gelsyn-3, for intra-articular injection, 0.1 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7318 | Hyaluronan or derivative, durolane, for intra-articular injection, 1 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7325 | Hyaluronan or derivative, synvisc or synvisc-one, for intra-articular injection, 1 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7320 | Hyaluronan or derivitive, genvisc 850, for intra-articular injection, 1 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7329 | Hyaluronan or derivative, trivisc, for intra-articular injection, 1 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7322 | Hyaluronan or derivative, hymovis or hymovis one, for intra-articular injection, 1 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7332 | Hyaluronan or derivative, triluron, for intra-articular injection, 1 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7331 | Hyaluronan or derivative, synojoynt, for intra-articular injection, 1 mg | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7323 | Hyaluronan or derivative, euflexxa, for intra-articular injection, per dose | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7321 | Hyaluronan or derivative, hyalgan, supartz or visco-3, for intra-articular injection, per dose | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7324 | Hyaluronan or derivative, orthovisc, for intra-articular injection, per dose | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7326 | Hyaluronan or derivative, gel-one, for intra-articular injection, per dose | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| J7327 | Hyaluronan or derivative, monovisc, for intra-articular injection, per dose | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0283 | Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas for indication(s) other than wound care, as part of a therapy plan of care | Carrier judgment | — | 2 |
| L1844 | Knee orthosis, single upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, custom fabricated | Carrier judgment | $1,865.51–$2,436.24 | 1 |
| L1860 | Knee orthosis, modification of supracondylar prosthetic socket, custom fabricated (sk) | Carrier judgment | $1,233.07–$1,985.94 | 1 |
| L1846 | Knee orthosis, double upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, custom fabricated | Carrier judgment | $1,283.72–$1,960.17 | 1 |
| L1834 | Knee orthosis, without knee joint, rigid, custom fabricated | Carrier judgment | $892.02–$1,808.36 | 1 |
| L1832 | Knee orthosis, adjustable knee joints (unicentric or polycentric), positional orthosis, rigid support, prefabricated item that has been trimmed, bent, molded, assembled, or otherwise customized to fit a specific patient by an individual with expertise | Carrier judgment | $698.63–$1,618.03 | 1 |
| L1840 | Knee orthosis, derotation, medial-lateral, anterior cruciate ligament, custom fabricated | Carrier judgment | $1,056.60–$1,606.15 | 1 |
| L1843 | Knee orthosis, single upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated item that has been trimmed, bent, molded, assembled, or otherwise customized to fit a specific patient by an individual with expertise | Carrier judgment | $1,076.26–$1,183.90 | 1 |
| L1845 | Knee orthosis, double upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated item that has been trimmed, bent, molded, assembled, or otherwise customized to fit a specific patient by an individual with expertise | Carrier judgment | $939.24–$1,180.51 | 1 |
| L1833 | Knee orthosis, adjustable knee joints (unicentric or polycentric), positional orthosis, rigid support, prefabricated, off-the shelf | Carrier judgment | $455.16–$1,087.16 | 1 |
| L1851 | Knee orthosis (ko), single upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated, off-the-shelf | Carrier judgment | $600.78–$959.09 | 1 |
| L1852 | Knee orthosis (ko), double upright, thigh and calf, with adjustable flexion and extension joint (unicentric or polycentric), medial-lateral and rotation control, with or without varus/valgus adjustment, prefabricated, off-the-shelf | Carrier judgment | $573.13–$940.49 | 1 |
49 more codes are listed. See every code with payment by region in Caduvo.
Medicare policy articles listing M17.9
- A52420: Billing and Coding: Hyaluronans Intra-articular Injections of (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 13 Level II codes)
- A60250: Billing and Coding: Total Joint Arthroplasty (CGS Administrators, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33456, L36039, L39911, L40232
- A52465: Knee Orthoses - Policy Article (CGS Administrators, LLC (DME MAC) Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (DME MAC); 53 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33318
- A53057: Billing and Coding: Home Health Occupational Therapy (Palmetto GBA (HHH MAC); 5 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34560
- A53064: Billing and Coding: Outpatient Occupational Therapy (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A); 3 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34427
A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.
Other M17 diagnoses (Osteoarthritis of knee)
- M17.0 — Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee
- M17.11 — Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
- M17.12 — Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee
- M17.2 — Bilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of knee
- M17.31 — Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis, right knee
- M17.32 — Unilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left knee
- M17.4 — Other bilateral secondary osteoarthritis of knee
- M17.5 — Other unilateral secondary osteoarthritis of knee
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover M17.9 (Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 5 Medicare billing and coding articles list M17.9 as a covered diagnosis for 74 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.
Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 M17.9?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are J7328 (Hyaluronan or derivative, gelsyn-3, for intra-articular…, 1 article); J7318 (Hyaluronan or derivative, durolane, for intra-articular…, 1 article); J7325 (Hyaluronan or derivative, synvisc or synvisc-one, for…, 1 article); J7320 (Hyaluronan or derivitive, genvisc 850, for intra-articular…, 1 article); J7329 (Hyaluronan or derivative, trivisc, for intra-articular…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
What does Medicare pay for equipment billed with M17.9?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule (non-rural state fees): L1844 $1,865.51 to $2,436.24; L1860 $1,233.07 to $1,985.94; L1846 $1,283.72 to $1,960.17; L1834 $892.02 to $1,808.36. Medicare pays 80% of the allowed amount after the Part B deductible.
Which Medicare policy articles list M17.9?
A52420 (Billing and Coding: Hyaluronans Intra-articular Injections of); A60250 (Billing and Coding: Total Joint Arthroplasty); A52465 (Knee Orthoses - Policy Article), and 2 more articles.
What is ICD-10-CM code M17.9?
M17.9 is the ICD-10-CM code for osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified, in category M17 (Osteoarthritis of knee), chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under J7328
- Watch J7328 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for J7328
Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.
Chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup