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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesM05.139

M05.139

Billable

Rheumatoid lung disease with rheumatoid arthritis of unspecified wrist

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/12/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 M05.139 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of rheumatoid lung disease with rheumatoid arthritis of unspecified wrist.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Rheumatoid lung disease is a serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), characterized by interstitial lung disease, pleural effusions, and pulmonary nodules. The pathophysiology involves autoimmune-mediated inflammation leading to lung tissue damage. Clinically, patients may present with respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and chest pain, alongside the typical joint manifestations of RA, which include swelling, pain, and stiffness in the wrist and other joints. The wrist, being a complex joint composed of multiple carpal bones, ligaments, and tendons, is often affected in RA, leading to functional limitations and potential deformities. The combination of lung involvement and wrist arthritis complicates the clinical picture, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach for management and rehabilitation.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: High

High Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Multisystem involvement (rheumatologic and pulmonary)
  • Need for detailed documentation of joint involvement
  • Potential for overlapping symptoms with other conditions
  • Variability in disease presentation and progression

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of lung disease severity
  • Failure to specify laterality of wrist involvement
  • Misclassification of joint involvement
  • Lack of evidence for systemic disease activity

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedics

Documentation Requirements

Orthopedic documentation should include imaging studies (X-rays, MRIs) to assess joint damage and functional assessments to evaluate range of motion and strength.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Common scenarios include surgical interventions for joint deformities or severe pain management.

Billing Considerations

Documentation must detail the severity of joint involvement and any functional limitations.

Rheumatology

Documentation Requirements

Rheumatologic documentation should include laboratory tests for inflammatory markers (e.g., ESR, CRP) and assessments of disease activity (e.g., DAS28).

Common Clinical Scenarios

Autoimmune flare-ups requiring medication adjustments or monitoring for lung complications.

Billing Considerations

Systemic involvement must be documented, including any pulmonary function tests.

Physical Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Functional assessments should evaluate mobility, activities of daily living, and rehabilitation needs.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Rehabilitation scenarios may include physical therapy for joint mobility and respiratory therapy for lung function.

Billing Considerations

Mobility limitations and the need for assistive devices must be documented.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use M05.139 When
  • Follow official coding guidelines that require documentation of laterality (if applicable), severity of the disease, and the type of encounter (initial, follow
  • up, etc
  • Ensure that all relevant conditions are documented to support the coding

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use M05.139 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99214CPT Code

Established patient office visit, moderate complexity

Clinical Scenario

Used for follow-up visits assessing joint and lung involvement.

Documentation Requirements

Document history of present illness, review of systems, and physical exam findings.

Specialty Considerations

Rheumatology and pulmonology considerations for comprehensive care.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those with systemic involvement like rheumatoid arthritis, improving the accuracy of patient records and treatment plans.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those with systemic involvement like rheumatoid arthritis, improving the accuracy of patient records and treatment plans.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those with systemic involvement like rheumatoid arthritis, improving the accuracy of patient records and treatment plans.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    American College of Rheumatology Guidelines

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    American College of Rheumatology Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common symptoms of rheumatoid lung disease?

Common symptoms include chronic cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fatigue, often accompanied by joint pain and swelling typical of rheumatoid arthritis.