ICD-10 Code M00.89 – Polyarthritis due to other bacteria (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M00.89 – Polyarthritis due to other bacteria
What it is
M00.89 identifies polyarthritis caused by bacteria other than the specific organisms named in more specific ICD-10 codes. Use it when documentation shows multiple joint infection from another bacterial cause.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical findings include painful, swollen, warm joints affecting more than one joint, with reduced range of motion and signs of acute infection.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents polyarthritis due to a bacterial infection and does not name a more specific organism. It may apply when multiple joints are infected and the chart supports bacterial causation. If the organism is identified and a more specific code exists, choose that code instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for noninfectious inflammatory arthritis, viral arthritis, or septic arthritis limited to a single joint. Check documentation if the bacterial cause or joint involvement is unclear.
Coding tip
Confirm both the bacterial etiology and the presence of multiple affected joints before assigning M00.89.