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MS-DRG v44.0 · MDC 08: Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue

556 — Signs and Symptoms of Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue without MCC

Source: CMS MS-DRG v44.0 and FY2027 IPPS final rule. Page updated September 29, 2026.
Relative weight
0.8211
Geometric mean LOS
2.7 days
Arithmetic mean LOS
3.3 days
Type
Medical

About MS-DRG 556

MS-DRG 556, Signs and Symptoms of Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue without MCC, is a medical DRG in MDC 08 (Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue) under MS-DRG version 44.0, which applies to inpatient discharges from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Its FY2027 relative weight is 0.8211, so Medicare's base payment for this DRG is about 0.82 times the average inpatient case (below average), before hospital-specific adjustments. The geometric mean length of stay is 2.7 days and the arithmetic mean is 3.3 days.

It belongs to a 2-level severity family: DRG 555 (with MCC, weight 1.2913) and DRG 556 (without MCC, weight 0.8211). The highest-severity level carries 1.6 times the weight of the lowest, which is why documenting CC and MCC conditions matters.

247 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are part of this DRG's grouping logic; they are listed below.

ICD-10-CM codes that group to DRG 556 (247)

Chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue

Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified

Common questions about DRG 556

What is the relative weight of DRG 556?

0.8211 for FY2027 (MS-DRG v44.0), from the IPPS final rule Table 5.

What is the average length of stay for DRG 556?

The geometric mean length of stay is 2.7 days; the arithmetic mean is 3.3 days.

Is DRG 556 medical or surgical?

DRG 556 is a medical DRG.