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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesM05.441

M05.441

Billable

Rheumatoid myopathy with rheumatoid arthritis of right hand

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

Code Description

ICD-10 M05.441 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of rheumatoid myopathy with rheumatoid arthritis of right hand.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Rheumatoid myopathy is a condition characterized by muscle weakness and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the joints. In this case, the right hand is specifically involved, indicating localized symptoms. Anatomically, the right hand consists of multiple joints including the metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, and distal interphalangeal joints, all of which can be affected by RA. Pathophysiologically, RA leads to synovial inflammation, resulting in joint damage and muscle atrophy due to disuse and inflammation. Clinically, patients may present with weakness, pain, and reduced range of motion in the right hand, impacting daily activities and overall quality of life. The condition may also involve systemic symptoms such as fatigue and malaise, complicating the clinical picture.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: High

High Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Involvement of multiple anatomical structures (muscles, joints, tendons)
  • Need for precise documentation of laterality and severity
  • Potential for overlapping diagnoses (e.g., myopathy vs. arthritis)
  • Variability in clinical presentation and treatment response

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of muscle weakness and joint involvement
  • Failure to specify laterality (right hand) in documentation
  • Misclassification of rheumatoid myopathy as a separate condition
  • Lack of evidence for functional limitations in clinical notes

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Orthopedics

Documentation Requirements

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

Common Clinical Scenarios

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

Billing Considerations

Joint-specific considerations include documenting the severity of joint deformities and the impact on hand function.

Rheumatology

Documentation Requirements

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

Common Clinical Scenarios

Scenarios often involve managing systemic symptoms and adjusting DMARD therapy based on disease progression.

Billing Considerations

Systemic involvement may necessitate monitoring for extra-articular manifestations of RA.

Physical Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Functional assessments should evaluate the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living and the need for rehabilitation services.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Rehabilitation scenarios may include physical therapy to improve strength and mobility in the right hand.

Billing Considerations

Mobility limitations may require documentation of assistive devices or modifications to the home environment.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use M05.441 When
  • Official coding guidelines require specificity in documenting laterality (right hand) and the severity of the condition
  • Encounter type (initial, follow
  • up) must also be clearly indicated

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use M05.441 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

97001CPT Code

Physical therapy evaluation

Clinical Scenario

Used for initial assessment of functional limitations in patients with rheumatoid myopathy.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include specific functional limitations and goals for therapy.

Specialty Considerations

Physical therapy may focus on improving strength and range of motion in the affected hand.

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, enabling better tracking of disease prevalence and treatment outcomes. M05.441 captures both the myopathy and the specific joint involvement, which was less detailed in ICD-9.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding musculoskeletal conditions, enabling better tracking of disease prevalence and treatment outcomes. M05.441 captures both the myopathy and the specific joint involvement, which was less detailed in ICD-9.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for greater specificity in coding musculoskeletal conditions, enabling better tracking of disease prevalence and treatment outcomes. M05.441 captures both the myopathy and the specific joint involvement, which was less detailed in ICD-9.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    American College of Rheumatology Guidelines

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    American College of Rheumatology Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key documentation requirements for coding M05.441?

Key documentation requirements include specifying the laterality (right hand), detailing the extent of muscle weakness and joint involvement, and providing evidence of functional limitations. Additionally, laboratory results indicating inflammatory markers and assessments of disease activity should be included.