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M02.872 vs M02.879

M02.872 (Other reactive arthropathies, left ankle and foot) compared with M02.879 (Other reactive arthropathies, unspecified ankle and foot), from the official CMS tabular data. M02.872 and M02.879 code the same condition on opposite sides. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

M02.872
Left
Other reactive arthropathies, left ankle and foot
M02.879
Unspecified
Other reactive arthropathies, unspecified ankle and foot

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. M02.872 and M02.879 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

M02.872Other reactive arthropathies, left ankle and footM02.879Other reactive arthropathies, unspecified ankle and foot
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationM00-M99 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissueM00-M99 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
DefinitionOther reactive arthropathies, left ankle and foot is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M02.872).Other reactive arthropathies, unspecified ankle and foot is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M02.879).
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