M86.221

Billable

Subacute osteomyelitis, right humerus

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 92 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis

0.209

V24HCC 39 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis

0.482

ESRDHCC 39 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis

0.000

What This Code Means

A bone infection in the right upper arm bone (humerus) that develops gradually over weeks to months, causing inflammation and potential bone damage.

Coding Tips

•Verify the infection site is specifically the humerus and not the shoulder joint itself
•Document the specific location on the humerus (proximal, shaft, or distal) if available for additional specificity

Clinical Significance

Subacute osteomyelitis of the right humerus represents a bone infection with gradual onset affecting the major upper arm bone over weeks to months. This intermediate phase infection requires monitoring to prevent progression to chronic osteomyelitis and preserve upper extremity function.

Documentation Requirements

✓Specific identification of right humerus involvement
✓Documentation of subacute infection timeline
✓Clinical evidence of humeral bone infection
✓Imaging confirmation of osteomyelitis in right humerus
✓Laboratory evidence of ongoing bone infection
✓Assessment of arm function and range of motion
✓Documentation of symptom progression
✓Treatment plan to prevent chronic conversion

Commonly Confused Codes

M86121 — Other acute osteomyelitis of right humerus M86621 — Chronic osteomyelitis with draining sinus of right humerus M86321 — Chronic multifocal osteomyelitis of right humerus M25511 — Pain in right shoulder S42.301A — Unspecified fracture of shaft of right humerus

Code Hierarchy

└M86Osteomyelitis └M86.2Subacute osteomyelitis └M86.22Subacute osteomyelitis, humerus └M86.221Subacute osteomyelitis, right humerus

└M86.221Subacute osteomyelitis, right humerus