M25.522: Pain in left elbow
M25.522, pain in left elbow, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 8 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 26 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0480 (Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug…), G0483 (Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug…), G0482 (Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug…). 4 of these codes have a 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule amount; E0783 pays $9,917.33 to $11,667.45 (NU) depending on the state. The articles come from 3 Medicare contractors. 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 M25.522 as a covered diagnosis
| Code | Description | Medicare coverage | DMEPOS fee 2026 (state range) | Articles listing it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G0480 | Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug identification methods able to identify individual drugs and distinguish between structural isomers (but not necessarily stereoisomers), including, but not limited to gc/ms (any type, single or tandem) and lc/ms (any type, single or tandem and excluding immunoassays (e.g., ia, eia, elisa, emit, fpia) and enzymatic methods (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase)), (2) stable isotope or other universally recognized internal standards in all samples (e.g., to control for matrix effects, interferences and variations in signal strength), and (3) method or drug-specific calibration and matrix-matched quality control material (e.g., to control for instrument variations and mass spectral drift); qualitative or quantitative, all sources, includes specimen validity testing, per day; 1-7 drug class(es), including metabolite(s) if performed | Carrier judgment | — | 3 |
| G0483 | Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug identification methods able to identify individual drugs and distinguish between structural isomers (but not necessarily stereoisomers), including, but not limited to gc/ms (any type, single or tandem) and lc/ms (any type, single or tandem and excluding immunoassays (e.g., ia, eia, elisa, emit, fpia) and enzymatic methods (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase)), (2) stable isotope or other universally recognized internal standards in all samples (e.g., to control for matrix effects, interferences and variations in signal strength), and (3) method or drug-specific calibration and matrix-matched quality control material (e.g., to control for instrument variations and mass spectral drift); qualitative or quantitative, all sources, includes specimen validity testing, per day; 22 or more drug class(es), including metabolite(s) if performed | Carrier judgment | — | 3 |
| G0482 | Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug identification methods able to identify individual drugs and distinguish between structural isomers (but not necessarily stereoisomers), including, but not limited to gc/ms (any type, single or tandem) and lc/ms (any type, single or tandem and excluding immunoassays (e.g., ia, eia, elisa, emit, fpia) and enzymatic methods (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase)), (2) stable isotope or other universally recognized internal standards in all samples (e.g., to control for matrix effects, interferences and variations in signal strength), and (3) method or drug-specific calibration and matrix-matched quality control material (e.g., to control for instrument variations and mass spectral drift); qualitative or quantitative, all sources, includes specimen validity testing, per day; 15-21 drug class(es), including metabolite(s) if performed | Carrier judgment | — | 3 |
| G0481 | Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug identification methods able to identify individual drugs and distinguish between structural isomers (but not necessarily stereoisomers), including, but not limited to gc/ms (any type, single or tandem) and lc/ms (any type, single or tandem and excluding immunoassays (e.g., ia, eia, elisa, emit, fpia) and enzymatic methods (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase)), (2) stable isotope or other universally recognized internal standards in all samples (e.g., to control for matrix effects, interferences and variations in signal strength), and (3) method or drug-specific calibration and matrix-matched quality control material (e.g., to control for instrument variations and mass spectral drift); qualitative or quantitative, all sources, includes specimen validity testing, per day; 8-14 drug class(es), including metabolite(s) if performed | Carrier judgment | — | 3 |
| G0659 | Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing drug identification methods able to identify individual drugs and distinguish between structural isomers (but not necessarily stereoisomers), including but not limited to gc/ms (any type, single or tandem) and lc/ms (any type, single or tandem), excluding immunoassays (e.g., ia, eia, elisa, emit, fpia) and enzymatic methods (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase), performed without method or drug-specific calibration, without matrix-matched quality control material, or without use of stable isotope or other universally recognized internal standard(s) for each drug, drug metabolite or drug class per specimen; qualitative or quantitative, all sources, includes specimen validity testing, per day, any number of drug classes | Carrier judgment | — | 3 |
| 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 | — | 3 |
| E0783 | Infusion pump system, implantable, programmable (includes all components, e.g., pump, catheter, connectors, etc.) | Special coverage instructions apply | $9,917.33–$11,667.45 (NU) | 1 |
| E0786 | Implantable programmable infusion pump, replacement (excludes implantable intraspinal catheter) | Special coverage instructions apply | $10,969.75–$11,380.88 (NU) | 1 |
| E0782 | Infusion pump, implantable, non-programmable (includes all components, e.g., pump, catheter, connectors, etc.) | Special coverage instructions apply | $5,200.92–$6,118.73 (NU) | 1 |
| E0785 | Implantable intraspinal (epidural/intrathecal) catheter used with implantable infusion pump, replacement | Special coverage instructions apply | $572.38–$673.39 (KF) | 1 |
| J7999 | Compounded drug, not otherwise classified | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J2278 | Injection, ziconotide, 1 microgram | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J2274 | Injection, morphine sulfate, preservative-free for epidural or intrathecal use, 10 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| A4220 | Refill kit for implantable infusion pump | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 1 |
| J9200 | Injection, floxuridine, 500 mg | Special coverage instructions apply | — | 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 | — | 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 |
| G2010 | Remote evaluation of recorded video and/or images submitted by an established patient (e.g., store and forward), including interpretation with follow-up with the patient within 24 business hours, not originating from a related e/m service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an e/m service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2250 | Remote assessment of recorded video and/or images submitted by an established patient (e.g., store and forward), including interpretation with follow-up with the patient within 24 business hours, not originating from a related service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to a service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G2251 | Brief communication technology-based service, e.g. virtual check-in, by a qualified health care professional who cannot report evaluation and management services, provided to an established patient, not originating from a related service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to a service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available appointment; 5-10 minutes of clinical discussion | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
| G0151 | Services performed by a qualified physical therapist in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes | Carrier judgment | — | 1 |
1 more codes are listed. See every code with payment by region in Caduvo.
Medicare policy articles listing M25.522
- A56915: Billing and Coding: Urine Drug Testing (WPS Insurance Corporation (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 5 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34645, L35724, L36029, L36668
- A54799: Billing and Coding: Urine Drug Testing (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 5 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34645, L35724, L36029, L36668
- A56818: Billing and Coding: Urine Drug Testing (CGS Administrators, LLC (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 5 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34645, L35724, L36029, L36668
- A56619: Billing and Coding: Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B); 1 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L34594, L34859, L35048, L35081
- A56695: Billing and Coding: Implantable Infusion Pump (Palmetto GBA (MAC - Part B); 9 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33461
- 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
- A57311: Billing and Coding: Physical Therapy - Home Health (CGS Administrators, LLC (HHH MAC); 7 Level II codes). LCD with the same title: L33942
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)
- M25.521 — Pain in right elbow
- M25.50 — Pain in unspecified joint
- M25.511 — Pain in right shoulder
- M25.512 — Pain in left shoulder
- 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
- M25.251 — 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
- M25.611 — Stiffness of right shoulder, not elsewhere classified
- M25.612 — Stiffness of left shoulder, not elsewhere classified
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover M25.522 (Pain in left elbow)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 8 Medicare billing and coding articles list M25.522 as a covered diagnosis for 26 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 M25.522?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0480 (Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug…, 3 articles); G0483 (Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug…, 3 articles); G0482 (Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug…, 3 articles); G0481 (Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing (1) drug…, 3 articles); G0659 (Drug test(s), definitive, utilizing drug identification…, 3 articles). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
What does Medicare pay for equipment billed with M25.522?
Under the 2026 DMEPOS fee schedule (non-rural state fees): E0783 $9,917.33 to $11,667.45 (NU); E0786 $10,969.75 to $11,380.88 (NU); E0782 $5,200.92 to $6,118.73 (NU); E0785 $572.38 to $673.39 (KF). Medicare pays 80% of the allowed amount after the Part B deductible.
Which Medicare policy articles list M25.522?
A56915 (Billing and Coding: Urine Drug Testing); A54799 (Billing and Coding: Urine Drug Testing); A56818 (Billing and Coding: Urine Drug Testing), and 5 more articles.
What is ICD-10-CM code M25.522?
M25.522 is the ICD-10-CM code for pain in left elbow, 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 G0480
- Watch G0480 for fee, coverage and descriptor changes
- Build a full Medicare revenue model for G0480
Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database billing and coding articles (covered ICD-10 code lists and HCPCS links); ICD-10-CM FY2026; CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2026; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule 2026 (non-rural state fees). Not billing or legal advice.
Chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue · All diagnoses · HCPCS lookup