2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M25.542Pain in joints of left hand

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M20-M25›M25

ICD-10-CM M25.542
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M25.542 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pain in joints of left hand. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 555 through 556. Coders also document this condition as bilateral pain of joint of hands. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Musculoskeletal pain, not low back pain.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M25.542
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Pain in joints of left hand
Short Description
Pain in joints of left hand
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M25.54
Pain in joints of hand

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM20-M25Other joint disorders
CategoryM25Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified
This CodeM25.542Pain in joints of left hand

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bilateral pain of joint of hands
  • Joint pain in left hand
  • Joint pain in right hand
  • Pain of bilateral hands
  • Pain of joint of hand
  • Pain of left hand
  • Pain of right hand

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M25.542: its own notes plus those printed at M25.5, M25, block M00-M25, block M20-M25, and Chapter 13. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From Block M00-M25 applies to 2,249 codes
  • Disorders affecting predominantly peripheral (limb) joints

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From M25.5 Pain in joint applies to 23 codes
From M25 Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified applies to 225 codes
  • abnormality of gait and mobility (R26.-)
  • acquired deformities of limb (M20-M21)
  • calcification of bursa (M71.4-)
  • calcification of shoulder (joint) (M75.3)
  • calcification of tendon (M65.2-)
  • difficulty in walking (R26.2)
  • temporomandibular joint disorder (M26.6-)
From Block M20-M25 Other joint disorders applies to 719 codes
From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the musculoskeletal condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the musculoskeletal condition

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name M25.542, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming M25.542: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • R52 Pain, unspecified
    joint pain (M25.5-) names M25.5-, which includes this code

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming M25.542: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • G89 Pain, not elsewhere classified
    joint pain (M25.5-) names M25.5-, which includes this code
  • M79.6 Pain in limb, hand, foot, fingers and toes
    pain in joint (M25.5-) names M25.5-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR MUS010
Musculoskeletal pain, not low back pain
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Joint Disorders

Your joints are places where two or more bones come together. Your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and knuckles are all joints. Your spine has joints, too.

The full article covers:

  • What are joints?
  • What are joint disorders?
  • What diseases can affect the joints?
  • What types of joint disorders happen from sudden injuries?
  • What types of joint disorders happen from overuse?
  • How can I keep my joints healthy?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert M25.542 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
719.44 Joint pain-hand
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement M25.542 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • M79.642 - Pain in left hand
FY 2019AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2018.
FY 2020–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About M25.542Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for pain in joints of left hand?

The ICD-10-CM code for pain in joints of left hand is M25.542 (sometimes written as M25542). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is M25.542 (Pain in joints of hand) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report pain in joints of left hand on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does M25.542 group to?

When pain in joints of left hand is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 555, 556, with relative weights from 0.8210 to 1.2908 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M25.542?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, pain in joints of left hand converts to ICD-9-CM 719.44 (joint pain-hand). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.