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M86.222 vs M86.229

M86.222 (Subacute osteomyelitis, left humerus) compared with M86.229 (Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified humerus), from the official CMS tabular data. M86.222 and M86.229 code the same condition on opposite sides. MedCoder-derived

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

M86.222
Left
Subacute osteomyelitis, left humerus
M86.229
Unspecified
Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified humerus

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. M86.222 and M86.229 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

M86.222Subacute osteomyelitis, left humerusM86.229Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified humerus
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationM00-M99 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissueM00-M99 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
DefinitionSubacute osteomyelitis, left humerus is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M86.222).Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified humerus is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M86.229).
Use additional code
code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent
code to identify major osseous defect, if applicable (M89.7-)
code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent
code to identify major osseous defect, if applicable (M89.7-)

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