M25.512: Pain in left shoulder
Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2027
What M25.512 covers
M25.512 is for pain in the left shoulder without a more specific diagnosis. It is a symptom code, common at a first visit or during the workup of shoulder pain.
Primary care, orthopedics and physical therapy use it. The right shoulder is M25.511 and an unspecified side is M25.519. Once a cause is documented, an M75.- shoulder code or a chapter 19 injury code often takes its place.
Billing and coding notes
The side has to match the note. There is no bilateral shoulder pain code, so pain in both shoulders is reported as M25.511 and M25.512. M25.519 is only for records that do not say which side.
Left shoulder pain is not coded alongside a confirmed diagnosis that explains it, such as adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder. If the provider documents the pain as chronic, G89.29 can be added for detail.
Related codes under M25.51
Questions about M25.512
Is M25.512 billable?
Yes. M25.512 is a complete code with the left side built in.
What is the difference between M25.512 and M25.519?
M25.512 is the left shoulder. M25.519 is shoulder pain with no side documented. If the record names the side, use M25.511 or M25.512.
ICD-10-CM in CloudMedico
In CloudMedico, a visit's diagnoses come from the current ICD-10-CM list. For US practices, the visit flags a code that isn't billable on its date, and a superbill made from an invoice carries the visit's diagnoses.
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