M25.5
Non-Billable

Pain in joint

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Pain in joint?

ICD-10-CM M25.5 is the diagnosis code for Pain in joint. This code falls under the section "Other joint disorders" 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.

â„šī¸ Excludes2

Coding Guidelines for M25.5

â„šī¸ Type 2 Excludes (Code separately if applicable)

The following conditions are not included in M25.5. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • pain in hand (M79.64-)
  • pain in fingers (M79.64-)
  • pain in foot (M79.67-)
  • pain in limb (M79.6-)
  • pain in toes (M79.67-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where M25.5 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 9 entries
M25.50Pain in unspecified jointBillableM25.51Pain in shoulderNon-BillableM25.511Pain in right shoulderBillableM25.512Pain in left shoulderBillableM25.519Pain in unspecified shoulderBillableM25.52Pain in elbowNon-BillableM25.521Pain in right elbowBillableM25.522Pain in left elbowBillableM25.529Pain in unspecified elbowBillableM25.53Pain in wristNon-BillableM25.531Pain in right wristBillableM25.532Pain in left wristBillableM25.539Pain in unspecified wristBillableM25.54Pain in joints of handNon-BillableM25.541Pain in joints of right handBillableM25.542Pain in joints of left handBillableM25.549Pain in joints of unspecified handBillableM25.55Pain in hipNon-BillableM25.551Pain in right hipBillableM25.552Pain in left hipBillableM25.559Pain in unspecified hipBillableM25.56Pain in kneeNon-BillableM25.561Pain in right kneeBillableM25.562Pain in left kneeBillableM25.569Pain in unspecified kneeBillableM25.57Pain in ankle and joints of footNon-BillableM25.571Pain in right ankle and joints of right footBillableM25.572Pain in left ankle and joints of left footBillableM25.579Pain in unspecified ankle and joints of unspecified footBillableM25.59Pain in other specified jointBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is M25.5 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, M25.5 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does M25.5 mean?

M25.5 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Pain in joint". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of M25.5?

The parent code of M25.5 is M25 ("Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified"). M25.5 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is M25.5 in?

M25.5 is located in Section M20-M25 — "Other joint disorders" within Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of M25.5?

M25.5 has 9 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: M25.50, M25.51, M25.52, M25.53, M25.54 and more.

When should I use M25.5?

Use M25.5 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Pain in joint" 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 Pain in joint?

The ICD-10-CM code for Pain in joint is M25.5.

Can M25.5 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, M25.5 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is M25.5 in?

M25.5 is in Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is M25.5 valid for 2026?

Yes, M25.5 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousM25.48Effusion, other siteNext →M25.50Pain in unspecified joint
Code Details
M25.5
Pain in joint
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
13 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
M20-M25 — Other joint disorders
2026 ICD-10-CM