M86.249

Billable

Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified hand

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 hand with unclear or unspecified side that develops over weeks to months.

Coding Tips

•Use this code only when laterality cannot be determined from documentation
•Query the provider if laterality can be determined to assign a more specific code (M86.241 or M86.242)

Clinical Significance

Subacute osteomyelitis of unspecified hand represents a bone infection with intermediate timeline affecting hand anatomy without laterality specification. This diagnosis warrants provider queries for laterality and requires careful treatment to preserve hand function and prevent chronic progression.

Documentation Requirements

✓Documentation of hand bone infection without laterality
✓Evidence of subacute infection timeline
✓Clinical presentation of hand osteomyelitis
✓Imaging confirmation of hand bone involvement
✓Laboratory support for ongoing infection
✓Provider query for laterality specification
✓Assessment of hand function and dexterity
✓Treatment plan for hand bone infection

Commonly Confused Codes

M86149 — Other acute osteomyelitis of unspecified hand M86649 — Chronic osteomyelitis with draining sinus of unspecified hand L03.119 — Cellulitis of unspecified finger M86241/242 — Right/left specific codes when laterality available M86349 — Chronic multifocal osteomyelitis of unspecified hand

Code Hierarchy

└M86Osteomyelitis └M86.2Subacute osteomyelitis └M86.24Subacute osteomyelitis, hand └M86.249Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified hand

└M86.249Subacute osteomyelitis, unspecified hand