ICD-10 M02
Non-Billable HeaderPostinfective and reactive arthropathies
About ICD-10-CM M02
ICD-10-CM code M02 represents Postinfective and reactive arthropathies. This is a non-billable header code in the Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue chapter (block M02). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM M02 became effective on October 1, 2025. Non-billable codes cannot be used as a primary or secondary diagnosis on a claim, use a more specific child code instead.
Type 1 Excludes
Pure excludes, these codes can never be coded together with M02. The conditions are mutually exclusive (e.g., congenital vs acquired forms).
- Behçet's disease (M35.2)
- direct infections of joint in infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere (M01.-)
- postmeningococcal arthritis (A39.84)
- mumps arthritis (B26.85)
- rubella arthritis (B06.82)
- syphilis arthritis (late) (A52.77)
- rheumatic fever (I00)
- tabetic arthropathy [Charcôt's] (A52.16)
Coding Notes
Code First
- underlying disease, such as:
- congenital syphilis [Clutton's joints] (A50.5)
- enteritis due to Yersinia enterocolitica (A04.6)
- infective endocarditis (I33.0)
- viral hepatitis (B15-B19)
Medicare LCD Coverage for M02
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list M02 as a covered diagnosis.
This doesn't mean the code isn't covered, it means no MAC has issued a Local Coverage Determination naming this specific code. Coverage may still apply under National Coverage Determinations or general medical-necessity rules.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing M02.
Our payer policy database covers Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, BCBS, Humana, and Medicare Advantage plans, but M02 doesn't currently appear in any indexed policy. The code may still be covered under standard plan benefits.
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with M02
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
We don't have CPT pairings indexed for this specific code yet. Use the CPT search above to find common procedures, or check your payer's published medical policy for code-specific guidance.
Codes Adjacent To M02
Other codes in section M00-M02 (Infectious arthropathies).
ICD-10 M02, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code M02 billable? +
No, M02 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block M02 when submitting claims.
What codes are Type 1 Excludes for M02? +
Type 1 Excludes (never code together with M02): Behçet's disease (M35.2); direct infections of joint in infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere (M01.-); postmeningococcal arthritis (A39.84)
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on June 2, 2026.
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