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M65.821 vs M65.829

M65.821 (Other synovitis and tenosynovitis, right upper arm) compared with M65.829 (Other synovitis and tenosynovitis, unspecified upper arm), from the official CMS tabular data. M65.821 and M65.829 code the same condition on opposite sides.

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

M65.821
Right
Other synovitis and tenosynovitis, right upper arm
M65.829
Unspecified
Other synovitis and tenosynovitis, unspecified upper arm

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. M65.821 and M65.829 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

M65.821Other synovitis and tenosynovitis, right upper armM65.829Other synovitis and tenosynovitis, unspecified upper arm
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 synovitis and tenosynovitis, right upper arm is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M65.821).Other synovitis and tenosynovitis, unspecified upper arm is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M65.829).

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