M25.642: Stiffness of left hand, not elsewhere classified
M25.642, stiffness of left hand, not elsewhere classified, is listed as a covered diagnosis in 3 Medicare billing and coding articles that apply to 11 HCPCS Level II codes, including G0283 (Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas…), G0281 (Electrical stimulation, (unattended), to one or more…), G0329 (Electromagnetic therapy, to one or more areas for chronic…). The articles come from 2 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 M25.642 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 | — | 3 |
| 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 |
Medicare policy articles listing M25.642
- 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)
- M25.641 — Stiffness of right hand, not elsewhere classified
- M25.611 — Stiffness of right shoulder, not elsewhere classified
- M25.612 — Stiffness of left shoulder, not elsewhere classified
- M25.621 — Stiffness of right elbow, not elsewhere classified
- M25.622 — Stiffness of left elbow, not elsewhere classified
- M25.631 — Stiffness of right wrist, not elsewhere classified
- M25.632 — Stiffness of left wrist, not elsewhere classified
- M25.651 — Stiffness of right hip, not elsewhere classified
- M25.652 — Stiffness of left hip, not elsewhere classified
- M25.661 — Stiffness of right knee, not elsewhere classified
- M25.662 — Stiffness of left knee, not elsewhere classified
- M25.671 — Stiffness of right ankle, not elsewhere classified
- M25.672 — Stiffness of left ankle, not elsewhere classified
- M25.674 — Stiffness of right foot, not elsewhere classified
- M25.675 — Stiffness of left foot, 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
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover M25.642 (Stiffness of left hand, not elsewhere classified)?
Medicare covers items and services, not diagnoses. 3 Medicare billing and coding articles list M25.642 as a covered diagnosis for 11 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 M25.642?
The Level II codes from the policies most specific to this diagnosis are G0283 (Electrical stimulation (unattended), to one or more areas…, 3 articles); G0281 (Electrical stimulation, (unattended), to one or more…, 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). Code choice depends on the item supplied; check each code's descriptor.
Which Medicare policy articles list M25.642?
A53057 (Billing and Coding: Home Health Occupational Therapy); A53064 (Billing and Coding: Outpatient Occupational Therapy); A57311 (Billing and Coding: Physical Therapy - Home Health).
What is ICD-10-CM code M25.642?
M25.642 is the ICD-10-CM code for stiffness of left hand, not elsewhere classified, 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
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