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M25.821 vs M25.822

M25.821 (Other specified joint disorders, right elbow) compared with M25.822 (Other specified joint disorders, left elbow), from the official CMS tabular data. M25.821 and M25.822 code the same condition on opposite sides.

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

M25.821
Right
Other specified joint disorders, right elbow
M25.822
Left
Other specified joint disorders, left elbow

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. M25.821 and M25.822 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

M25.821Other specified joint disorders, right elbowM25.822Other specified joint disorders, left elbow
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 specified joint disorders, right elbow is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M25.821).Other specified joint disorders, left elbow is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M25.822).

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