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M02.842 vs M02.849

M02.842 (Other reactive arthropathies, left hand) compared with M02.849 (Other reactive arthropathies, unspecified hand), from the official CMS tabular data. M02.842 and M02.849 code the same condition on opposite sides. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

M02.842
Left
Other reactive arthropathies, left hand
M02.849
Unspecified
Other reactive arthropathies, 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. M02.842 and M02.849 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

M02.842Other reactive arthropathies, left handM02.849Other reactive arthropathies, unspecified hand
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationM00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99)M00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99)
DefinitionOther reactive arthropathies, left hand is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M02.842).Other reactive arthropathies, unspecified hand is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M02.849).
Code first
underlying disease, such as:
congenital syphilis [Clutton's joints] (A50.5)
underlying disease, such as:
congenital syphilis [Clutton's joints] (A50.5)

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