ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M12.81 - Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, shoulder (original) (raw)

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ICD List 2025-2026 Edition

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Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, shoulder

ICD-10-CM Code:

M12.81

ICD-10 Code for:

Oth specific arthropathies, NEC, shoulder

Is Billable?

Not Valid for Submission

Code Navigator:

M12.81 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity from the list below for a diagnosis of other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, shoulder. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Non-specific codes like M12.81 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following billable codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for oth specific arthropathies, nec, shoulder:

Use M12.811 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, right shoulder

Use M12.812 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, left shoulder

Use M12.819 for Other specific arthropathies, not elsewhere classified, unspecified shoulder

  1. Code Information
  2. Specific Coding
  3. Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
  4. Index to Diseases and Injuries References
  6. Patient Education
  7. Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
  8. Code History

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

References found for this diagnosis code in the External Cause of Injuries Index:

Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

Your shoulder joint is composed of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). Your shoulders are the most movable joints in your body. They can also be unstable because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain in a stable or normal position, the shoulder must be anchored by muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Because your shoulder can be unstable, it can be easily injured. Common problems include:

Health care providers diagnose shoulder problems by using your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging tests.

Often, the first treatment for shoulder problems is RICE. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Other treatments include exercise and medicines to reduce pain and swelling. If those don't work, you may need surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

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