ICD-10 Code M00.149 – Pneumococcal arthritis, unspecified hand (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M00.149 – Pneumococcal arthritis, unspecified hand
What it is
M00.149 identifies pneumococcal arthritis affecting the hand when the specific hand joint is not documented. It indicates a joint infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include acute joint pain, swelling, warmth, and reduced range of motion in the hand. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the affected joint and organism confirmation.
When to use this code
Use M00.149 when the provider documents pneumococcal septic arthritis in the hand but does not specify the exact joint. You should code from the charted diagnosis, not from suspected infection alone. If the record names a different joint or organism, select the more precise code.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonpneumococcal arthritis, traumatic joint pain, or arthritis in a different body site. Check documentation if the organism or hand joint is not clearly stated.
Coding tip
Confirm both the pneumococcal cause and hand location in the provider note before assigning M00.149.