ICD-10 Code M05.342 – Rheumatoid heart disease with rheumatoid arthritis of left hand (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M05.342 – Rheumatoid heart disease with rheumatoid arthritis of left hand
What it is
This code identifies rheumatoid arthritis affecting the left hand with associated rheumatoid heart disease. Use it when both the cardiac complication and the left-hand joint involvement are documented.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical findings for rheumatoid arthritis include chronic joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity in the left hand, with evidence of rheumatoid heart involvement noted by the clinician.
When to use this code
Use this code when the record clearly links rheumatoid heart disease to rheumatoid arthritis and specifies the left hand as the affected site. It fits problem lists, encounter diagnoses, or assessments documenting both conditions together. Check documentation if the laterality or cardiac involvement is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use it for rheumatoid arthritis of the left hand without heart disease, or for heart disease unrelated to rheumatoid arthritis. If the side is not left, or the diagnosis is not confirmed, choose the documented code instead.
Coding tip
Verify both the heart condition and left-hand laterality in the same note before assigning M05.342.