M08.979
BillableJuvenile arthritis, unspecified, unspecified ankle and foot
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 93 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease
0.175V24HCC 40 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease
0.307ESRDHCC 40 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease
0.000RxHCCHCC 83 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease
0.000What This Code Means
A type of arthritis that develops in children affecting the ankle and/or foot, but the specific side (left or right) is not documented or is bilateral.
Coding Tips
- •Use only when laterality cannot be determined from available documentation
- •Review imaging reports and clinical notes to determine if laterality can be specified
Clinical Significance
Juvenile arthritis affecting unspecified ankle and foot joints represents a chronic inflammatory condition that can significantly impact a child's mobility and participation in normal activities. This diagnosis requires comprehensive management to prevent joint damage and maintain functional independence during growth and development.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Patient age at onset (must be under 16 years old)
- ✓Evidence of chronic arthritis lasting 6 weeks or more
- ✓Ankle and/or foot involvement without laterality specification
- ✓Documentation of inflammatory signs and symptoms
- ✓Assessment of functional impact on ambulation
- ✓Exclusion of other causes (infectious, traumatic)
- ✓Current treatment plan and medication effectiveness
- ✓Appropriate diagnostic imaging and laboratory studies
Commonly Confused Codes
Code Hierarchy
└M08Juvenile arthritis└M08.9Juvenile arthritis, unspecified└M08.97Juvenile arthritis, unspecified, ankle and foot└M08.979Juvenile arthritis, unspecified, unspecified ankle and foot
└M08.979Juvenile arthritis, unspecified, unspecified ankle and foot