M25.549 — Pain in joints of unspecified hand
Is M25.549 billable?
Yes, but M25.549 is an unspecified code. M25.549 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, M25.549 is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting M25.549 — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
M25.549 at a glance
| Code | M25.549 |
|---|---|
| Description | Pain in joints of unspecified hand |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
Which MS-DRGs does M25.549 group to?
M25.549 sits in MDC 08 and helps define the logic of 2 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 555Signs and Symptoms of Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with MCCmedical
- 556Signs and Symptoms of Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue without MCCmedical
How is M25.549 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under M25.54, the nearest indexed parent of M25.549. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Pain › joint › finger (s)
- Pain › joint › hand (s)
Inclusion terms
Alternative wording in documentation that is classified to M25.549.
- Pain in joints of hand NOS
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 13
The conditions below are not part of M25.549, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M25.549 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 M25.549, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M25.549 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 M25.549, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M25.549 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from M25.5
The conditions below are not part of M25.549, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M25.549 and the excluded code may both be reported.
How long has M25.549 existed?
M25.549 first appears in FY2018 (FY2017 is not available, so it may have appeared then).
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.