ICD-10 Code M00.8 – Arthritis and polyarthritis due to other bacteria (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M00.8 – Arthritis and polyarthritis due to other bacteria
What it is
M00.8 identifies arthritis or polyarthritis caused by bacteria other than the organisms named in more specific ICD-10 codes. Use it when the record documents a bacterial joint infection, but the organism is not one of the excluded specific causes.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include painful, swollen, warm joints with reduced range of motion, and sometimes fever or systemic illness. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use M00.8 when the provider documents bacterial arthritis or polyarthritis and identifies a non-specified or other bacterial cause. It also fits when the organism is named, but no more specific ICD-10 option applies. Confirm that the condition is infectious rather than inflammatory or degenerative.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for rheumatoid, gouty, or osteoarthritis, because those are noninfectious conditions. Do not use it when documentation supports a more specific bacterial arthritis code. Check documentation.
Coding tip
Match the code to the documented organism and site, and choose a more specific infectious arthritis code whenever the record supports one.