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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesM05.21

M05.21

Billable

Rheumatoid vasculitis with rheumatoid arthritis of shoulder

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

Code Description

ICD-10 M05.21 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of rheumatoid vasculitis with rheumatoid arthritis of shoulder.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Rheumatoid vasculitis is a serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) characterized by inflammation of blood vessels, leading to ischemia and tissue damage. In this case, it specifically affects the shoulder joint, which is composed of the humerus, scapula, and clavicle, allowing for a wide range of motion. Patients may present with joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, alongside systemic symptoms such as fatigue and malaise. The pathophysiology involves immune-mediated damage to the vascular endothelium, resulting in vasculitis that can compromise blood flow to the shoulder joint, exacerbating the inflammatory process of RA. Clinically, patients may experience limited range of motion, weakness, and functional impairment in daily activities. The combination of rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis necessitates a comprehensive treatment approach, including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), corticosteroids, and possibly biologics to manage both joint and systemic manifestations.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: High

High Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Involvement of multiple systems (musculoskeletal and vascular)
  • Need for detailed documentation of joint involvement and systemic symptoms
  • Potential for overlapping diagnoses (e.g., RA, vasculitis)
  • Variability in clinical presentation and severity

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of systemic symptoms
  • Failure to specify laterality of shoulder involvement
  • Misclassification of rheumatoid arthritis severity
  • Lack of evidence for vasculitis diagnosis

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedics

Documentation Requirements

Orthopedic documentation should include imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, MRIs) to assess joint damage, functional assessments to evaluate range of motion, and detailed notes on joint swelling and tenderness.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Common scenarios include surgical interventions for joint repair or replacement, and management of acute exacerbations of joint pain.

Billing Considerations

Joint-specific considerations include documenting the extent of joint damage and any surgical history related to the shoulder.

Rheumatology

Documentation Requirements

Rheumatologic documentation must include laboratory tests for inflammatory markers (e.g., ESR, CRP), disease activity scores, and assessments of systemic involvement.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Scenarios often involve managing flare-ups of RA and monitoring for complications such as vasculitis.

Billing Considerations

Systemic involvement must be documented, including any organ systems affected by vasculitis.

Physical Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Functional assessments should evaluate mobility, strength, and the need for assistive devices, along with rehabilitation goals.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Rehabilitation scenarios may include post-surgical recovery or therapy for joint stiffness and pain management.

Billing Considerations

Mobility limitations should be clearly documented, including the impact on daily activities and quality of life.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use M05.21 When
  • Follow official coding guidelines for laterality (specifying right or left shoulder), severity of the condition, and the type of encounter (initial, follow
  • up, or acute)
  • Ensure that all relevant clinical information is documented to support the diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use M05.21 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

20610CPT Code

Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection into a major joint or bursa

Clinical Scenario

Used for joint aspiration in cases of swelling and pain due to rheumatoid vasculitis.

Documentation Requirements

Document the joint involved, the reason for the procedure, and any findings during the aspiration.

Specialty Considerations

Orthopedic and rheumatologic considerations include the need for imaging guidance and assessment of joint fluid.

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 vasculitis, 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 vasculitis, 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 vasculitis, 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 key symptoms of rheumatoid vasculitis?

Key symptoms include joint pain and swelling, systemic symptoms like fatigue, and signs of ischemia in affected areas, such as the shoulder, leading to functional limitations.