2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M25.549Pain in joints of unspecified hand
ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M20-M25›M25
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
M25.549 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pain in joints of unspecified hand. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 555 through 556. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Musculoskeletal pain, not low back pain.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Distal interphalangeal joint of finger pain
- Finger joint painful on movement
- Metacarpophalangeal joint pain
- Pain in finger
- Pain of joint of hand
- Pain of proximal interphalangeal joint of finger
- Tenderness of finger joint
- Tenderness of thumb joint
- Tenderness of upper limb
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Pain in joints of hand NOS
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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 M25.549 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code History & ChangesHistory
Replacement M25.549 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):
- M79.643 - Pain in unspecified hand
Questions About M25.549Overview
Is M25.549 (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 unspecified hand on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does M25.549 group to?
When pain in joints of unspecified hand is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 555, 556, with relative weights from 0.8306 to 1.3218 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M25.549?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, pain in joints of unspecified hand converts to ICD-9-CM 719.44 (joint pain-hand). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
