M25.39: Other instability, other specified joint
M25.39, other instability, other specified joint, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 3 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 12 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0283 (Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas…), G0329 (Electromagnetic therapy, to one or more areas for chronic…), G0152 (Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist…). The articles come from 1 Medicare contractor. A listed diagnosis supports medical necessity only; coverage still depends on the LCD's criteria and on documentation in the medical record.
HCPCS Level II codes with M25.39 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G0283 | Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas for indication(s) other than wound care, as part of a therapy plan of care | Carrier judgment | — | 2 |
| G0329 | Electromagnetic therapy, to one or more areas for chronic stage iii and stage iv pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers and venous stasis ulcers not demonstrating measurable signs of healing after 30 days of conventional care as part of a therapy plan of care | Carrier judgment | — | 2 |
| G0152 | Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0158 | Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist assistant in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0160 | Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist, in the home health setting, in the establishment or delivery of a safe and effective occupational therapy maintenance program, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2169 | Services performed by an occupational therapist assistant in the home health setting in the delivery of a safe and effective occupational therapy maintenance program, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0281 | Electrical stimulation, (unattended), to one or more areas, for chronic stage iii and stage iv pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and venous stasis ulcers not demonstrating measurable signs of healing after 30 days of conventional care, as part of a therapy plan of care | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0151 | Services performed by a qualified physical therapist in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0157 | Services performed by a qualified physical therapist assistant in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0159 | Services performed by a qualified physical therapist, in the home health setting, in the establishment or delivery of a safe and effective physical therapy maintenance program, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2168 | Services performed by a physical therapist assistant in the home health setting in the delivery of a safe and effective physical therapy maintenance program, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| L1972 | Ankle foot orthosis, plastic or other material with ankle joint, with or without dorsiflexion assist, prefabricated, off-the shelf | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
Medicare policy articles listing M25.39
- A53057: Billing and Coding: Home Health Occupational Therapy (Palmetto GBA (HHH MAC); 5 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34560
- A53064: Billing and Coding: Outpatient Occupational Therapy (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A); 3 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34427
- A53058: Billing and Coding: Home Health Physical Therapy (Palmetto GBA (HHH MAC); 6 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34564
A diagnosis listed as covered in a billing and coding article supports medical necessity for the article's codes; it does not guarantee payment. Coverage depends on the LCD's criteria, the contractor's jurisdiction and documentation in the medical record.
Other M25 diagnoses (Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified)
- M25.251 — Flail joint, right hip
- M25.252 — Flail joint, left hip
- M25.261 — Flail joint, right knee
- M25.262 — Flail joint, left knee
- M25.411 — Effusion, right shoulder
- M25.412 — Effusion, left shoulder
- M25.421 — Effusion, right elbow
- M25.422 — Effusion, left elbow
- M25.431 — Effusion, right wrist
- M25.432 — Effusion, left wrist
- M25.441 — Effusion, right hand
- M25.442 — Effusion, left hand
- M25.48 — Effusion, other site
- M25.50 — Pain in unspecified joint
- M25.511 — Pain in right shoulder
- M25.512 — Pain in left shoulder
- M25.521 — Pain in right elbow
- M25.522 — Pain in left elbow
- M25.531 — Pain in right wrist
- M25.532 — Pain in left wrist
- M25.541 — Pain in joints of right hand
- M25.542 — Pain in joints of left hand
- M25.551 — Pain in right hip
- M25.552 — Pain in left hip
- M25.561 — Pain in right knee
- M25.562 — Pain in left knee
- M25.571 — Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot
- M25.572 — Pain in left ankle and joints of left foot
- M25.59 — Pain in other specified joint
- M25.611 — Stiffness of right shoulder, not elsewhere classified
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover M25.39 (Other instability, other specified joint)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 3 Medicare billing and coding articles list M25.39 as a covered diagnosis for 12 HCPCS Level II codes: the diagnosis can support medical necessity for those codes, but payment still depends on the LCD's coverage criteria and the medical record.
Which HCPCS codes can be billed with ICD-10 M25.39?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0283 (Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas…, 2 articles); G0329 (Electromagnetic therapy, to one or more areas for chronic…, 2 articles); G0152 (Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist…, 1 article); G0158 (Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist…, 1 article); G0160 (Services performed by a qualified occupational therapist…, 1 article). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
Which Medicare policy articles list M25.39?
A53057 (Billing and Coding: Home Health Occupational Therapy); A53064 (Billing and Coding: Outpatient Occupational Therapy); A53058 (Billing and Coding: Home Health Physical Therapy).
What is ICD-10-CM code M25.39?
M25.39 is the ICD-10-CM code for other instability, other specified joint, in category M25 (Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified), chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.
Next steps
- Run a reimbursement report for a device billed under G0283
- Watch G0283 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for G0283
Compiled by Caduvo from public CMS (Medicare) records, ICD-10-CM FY2026, HCPCS release October 2026, 2026 fee schedule (non-rural state fees). Not reviewed or endorsed by CMS. Not billing or legal advice. Report an error. Data and corrections policy.
Chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup