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M00.242 vs M00.249

M00.242 (Other streptococcal arthritis, left hand) compared with M00.249 (Other streptococcal arthritis, unspecified hand), from the official CMS tabular data. M00.242 and M00.249 code the same condition on opposite sides. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

M00.242
Left
Other streptococcal arthritis, left hand
M00.249
Unspecified
Other streptococcal arthritis, unspecified hand

Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

These codes share a category and title and differ only in the side affected. The documentation decides which applies, and a bilateral code is reported only where the code set provides one.

Source: ICD-10-CM tabular list (laterality variant derived from the code title)

Can these codes be reported together?

Same condition, opposite side. M00.242 and M00.249 name the same condition on opposite sides of the body.

Same category and title, differing only in which side is affected — the documentation decides which one applies, and a bilateral code is reported only where the code set provides one.

Side by side

M00.242Other streptococcal arthritis, left handM00.249Other streptococcal arthritis, unspecified hand
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationM00-M99 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissueM00-M99 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
DefinitionOther streptococcal arthritis, left hand is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M00.242).Other streptococcal arthritis, unspecified hand is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M00.249).
Use additional code
code (B95.0-B95.2, B95.4-B95.5) to identify bacterial agent
code (B95.0-B95.2, B95.4-B95.5) to identify bacterial agent

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources