The ICD-10-CM diagnosis code M25.512 is a specific and billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of pain in the left shoulder. This code is essential for medical billing and coding, providing a standardized way to classify and report patient diagnoses. The 2025 edition of ICD-10-CM, which includes M25.512, became effective on October 1, 2024. It’s important to note that while M25.512 is used in the American ICD-10-CM system, other international versions of ICD-10 may have variations.
What M25.512 Encompasses
Diagnosis code M25.512 falls under the broader category of “Pain in joint,” and more specifically, “Pain in shoulder” (M25.51). It precisely designates pain located in the left shoulder. This level of specificity is crucial for accurate medical records, insurance claims, and statistical analysis of health trends. M25.512 is a billable code, meaning it is recognized for reimbursement purposes by insurance providers when documenting medical services related to this diagnosis.
Synonyms for M25.512
To ensure comprehensive searchability and understanding, M25.512 encompasses a range of terms that describe pain in the left shoulder. These approximate synonyms include:
- Bilateral acromioclavicular joint pain (when both sides are affected, but M25.512 specifies the left)
- Bilateral shoulder joint pain (again, when bilateral, but M25.512 focuses on the left)
- Bilateral shoulder joint pain > 3 months (chronic bilateral shoulder pain, left side relevant to M25.512)
- Bilateral shoulder joint pain greater than three months (chronic bilateral shoulder pain, left side relevant to M25.512)
- Bilateral sternoclavicular joint pain (bilateral, but left side relevant to M25.512)
- Left acromioclavicular joint pain
- Left shoulder joint pain
- Left shoulder pain
- Left sternoclavicular joint pain
- Pain of left acromioclavicular joint
- Pain of left shoulder joint
These synonyms highlight the different locations within the shoulder region that could be the source of pain coded under M25.512, including the joints and general shoulder area.
ICD-10-CM Code History for M25.512
The code M25.512 is relatively recent in the ICD-10-CM system. Its history is as follows:
- 2016: Introduced as a new code, marking the first year of the non-draft ICD-10-CM implementation.
- 2017-2025: No changes have been made to the code since its introduction, maintaining its definition and application through the latest 2025 edition.
This consistent history indicates the code’s established role in the ICD-10-CM system for coding left shoulder pain.
Context within ICD-10-CM Codes
M25.512 is positioned within a series of related ICD-10-CM codes. It is directly preceded and followed by codes that specify pain in other shoulder locations and joints:
- Adjacent Codes: M25.511 (Pain in right shoulder) and M25.519 (Pain in unspecified shoulder) provide further specificity for shoulder pain. The broader category M25.5 (Pain in joint) and its subcategories like M25.50 (Pain in unspecified joint) and M25.52 (Pain in elbow) provide context within the larger ICD-10-CM structure.
Understanding these adjacent codes helps to appreciate the precise nature of M25.512 in differentiating left shoulder pain from other related conditions.
Conclusion
The M25.512 Diagnosis Code is a critical tool for accurately documenting and classifying pain in the left shoulder within the ICD-10-CM system. Its specificity, billable status, and clear definition are essential for healthcare providers, medical coders, and insurance processes. Understanding the nuances of M25.512, including its synonyms and place within the broader ICD-10-CM coding framework, ensures accurate and effective use of this important diagnostic code.
