M12.4
Non-Billable

Intermittent hydrarthrosis

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Intermittent hydrarthrosis?

ICD-10-CM M12.4 is the diagnosis code for Intermittent hydrarthrosis. This code falls under the section "Inflammatory polyarthropathies" within Chapter 13 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

Coding Guidelines for M12.4

Always refer to the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List for complete coding guidelines. Ensure documentation supports the specificity of the code selected. When in doubt, consult a certified medical coder or the latest CMS guidelines.

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where M12.4 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 10 entries
M12.40Intermittent hydrarthrosis, unspecified siteBillableM12.41Intermittent hydrarthrosis, shoulderNon-BillableM12.411Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right shoulderBillableM12.412Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left shoulderBillableM12.419Intermittent hydrarthrosis, unspecified shoulderBillableM12.42Intermittent hydrarthrosis, elbowNon-BillableM12.421Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right elbowBillableM12.422Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left elbowBillableM12.429Intermittent hydrarthrosis, unspecified elbowBillableM12.43Intermittent hydrarthrosis, wristNon-BillableM12.431Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right wristBillableM12.432Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left wristBillableM12.439Intermittent hydrarthrosis, unspecified wristBillableM12.44Intermittent hydrarthrosis, handNon-BillableM12.441Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right handBillableM12.442Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left handBillableM12.449Intermittent hydrarthrosis, unspecified handBillableM12.45Intermittent hydrarthrosis, hipNon-BillableM12.451Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right hipBillableM12.452Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left hipBillableM12.459Intermittent hydrarthrosis, unspecified hipBillableM12.46Intermittent hydrarthrosis, kneeNon-BillableM12.461Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right kneeBillableM12.462Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left kneeBillableM12.469Intermittent hydrarthrosis, unspecified kneeBillableM12.47Intermittent hydrarthrosis, ankle and footNon-BillableM12.471Intermittent hydrarthrosis, right ankle and footBillableM12.472Intermittent hydrarthrosis, left ankle and footBillableM12.479Intermittent hydrarthrosis, unspecified ankle and footBillableM12.48Intermittent hydrarthrosis, other siteBillableM12.49Intermittent hydrarthrosis, multiple sitesBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is M12.4 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, M12.4 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does M12.4 mean?

M12.4 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Intermittent hydrarthrosis". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of M12.4?

The parent code of M12.4 is M12 ("Other and unspecified arthropathy"). M12.4 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is M12.4 in?

M12.4 is located in Section M05-M14 — "Inflammatory polyarthropathies" within Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of M12.4?

M12.4 has 10 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: M12.40, M12.41, M12.42, M12.43, M12.44 and more.

When should I use M12.4?

Use M12.4 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Intermittent hydrarthrosis" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Intermittent hydrarthrosis?

The ICD-10-CM code for Intermittent hydrarthrosis is M12.4.

Can M12.4 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, M12.4 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is M12.4 in?

M12.4 is in Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is M12.4 valid for 2026?

Yes, M12.4 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousM12.39Palindromic rheumatism, multiple sitesNext →M12.40Intermittent hydrarthrosis, unspecified site
Code Details
M12.4
Intermittent hydrarthrosis
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
13 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
M05-M14 — Inflammatory polyarthropathies
2026 ICD-10-CM