M86.229

Billable

Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified 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 upper arm bone (humerus) of unspecified side that develops gradually over weeks to months, causing inflammation and potential bone damage.

Coding Tips

•Use only when the side of the humerus involvement cannot be determined from available documentation
•Query the provider for laterality information to assign a more specific code if possible

Clinical Significance

Subacute osteomyelitis of unspecified humerus represents a bone infection with intermediate timeline affecting the upper arm bone without laterality specification. This diagnosis requires provider queries for laterality and monitoring to prevent chronic progression while preserving arm function.

Documentation Requirements

✓Documentation of humerus bone infection without laterality
✓Evidence of subacute infection timeline
✓Clinical presentation of humeral osteomyelitis
✓Imaging confirmation of humerus involvement
✓Laboratory support for ongoing infection
✓Provider query for laterality specification
✓Assessment of upper extremity function
✓Treatment plan for humeral bone infection

Commonly Confused Codes

M86129 — Other acute osteomyelitis of unspecified humerus M86629 — Chronic osteomyelitis with draining sinus of unspecified humerus M86329 — Chronic multifocal osteomyelitis of unspecified humerus M86221/222 — Right/left specific codes when laterality available M25519 — Pain in unspecified shoulder

Code Hierarchy

└M86Osteomyelitis └M86.2Subacute osteomyelitis └M86.22Subacute osteomyelitis, humerus └M86.229Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified humerus

└M86.229Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified humerus