M25.3 — Other instability of joint
Is M25.3 billable?
No — M25.3 is a non-billable header code. M25.3 groups more specific codes and cannot be submitted on a claim. A valid ICD-10-CM code must be reported at the highest level of specificity available in its branch. Select one of the 26 billable codes beneath M25.3.
Billable codes under this header
- M25.30Other instability, unspecified joint
- M25.39Other instability, other specified joint
- M25.311Other instability, right shoulder
- M25.312Other instability, left shoulder
- M25.319Other instability, unspecified shoulder
- M25.321Other instability, right elbow
- M25.322Other instability, left elbow
- M25.329Other instability, unspecified elbow
- M25.331Other instability, right wrist
- M25.332Other instability, left wrist
- M25.339Other instability, unspecified wrist
- M25.341Other instability, right hand
- M25.342Other instability, left hand
- M25.349Other instability, unspecified hand
- M25.351Other instability, right hip
- M25.352Other instability, left hip
- M25.359Other instability, unspecified hip
- M25.361Other instability, right knee
- M25.362Other instability, left knee
- M25.369Other instability, unspecified knee
- M25.371Other instability, right ankle
- M25.372Other instability, left ankle
- M25.373Other instability, unspecified ankle
- M25.374Other instability, right foot
- M25.375Other instability, left foot
- M25.376Other instability, unspecified foot
M25.3 at a glance
| Code | M25.3 |
|---|---|
| Description | Other instability of joint |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
Excludes1 — never code together
The conditions below can never be reported together with M25.3 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Excludes2 — not included here
The conditions below are not part of M25.3, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M25.3 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- spinal instabilities (M53.2-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 13
The conditions below are not part of M25.3, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M25.3 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
- certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
- certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
- complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
- endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
- injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- neoplasms (C00-D49)
- symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from M20-M25
The conditions below are not part of M25.3, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M25.3 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- joints of the spine (M40-M54)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from M25
The conditions below are not part of M25.3, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M25.3 and the excluded code may both be reported.
What codes fall under M25.3? (9)
- M25.30Other instability, unspecified joint
- M25.31Other instability, shouldernot billable
- M25.32Other instability, elbownot billable
- M25.33Other instability, wristnot billable
- M25.34Other instability, handnot billable
- M25.35Other instability, hipnot billable
- M25.36Other instability, kneenot billable
- M25.37Other instability, ankle and footnot billable
- M25.39Other instability, other specified joint
How long has M25.3 existed?
M25.3 has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.
What other codes are in the M25 family? (9)
- M25.0Hemarthrosisnot billable
- M25.1Fistula of jointnot billable
- M25.2Flail jointnot billable
- M25.4Effusion of jointnot billable
- M25.5Pain in jointnot billable
- M25.6Stiffness of joint, not elsewhere classifiednot billable
- M25.7Osteophytenot billable
- M25.8Other specified joint disordersnot billable
- M25.9Joint disorder, unspecified