2025 ICD-10-CM code M34
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Musculoskeletal - Systemic connective tissue disorders (M30-M36) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99) Feed
Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is a chronic autoimmune disease causing excessive collagen production, leading to skin thickening and potential organ involvement.
Not applicable to diagnosis codes.
Medical necessity for evaluation and management of systemic sclerosis is established based on the presence of symptoms and signs consistent with the diagnosis, along with supportive diagnostic findings.Treatment is medically necessary to manage symptoms, prevent organ damage, and improve quality of life.
Diagnosis and management of systemic sclerosis involves a multidisciplinary approach, often including rheumatologists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, and gastroenterologists, depending on organ involvement.The physician's role includes taking a detailed patient history, conducting a physical examination, ordering appropriate laboratory tests and imaging studies, and developing a treatment plan to manage symptoms and complications.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
- Systemic connective tissue disorders (M30-M36)
In simple words: Scleroderma is a disease where the body makes too much of a protein called collagen, causing skin and other tissues to harden and thicken. This can affect the skin, joints, lungs, heart, and kidneys. There is no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms.
Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, is a rare, chronic autoimmune connective tissue disorder.It's characterized by an overproduction of collagen and other proteins in various tissues, resulting in fibrosis (scarring) and hardening of the skin and potentially internal organs.The disease process involves both skin and internal organ involvement, with varying degrees of severity.Manifestations can include skin thickening, Raynaud's phenomenon, joint pain, gastrointestinal issues, lung disease (interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension), and kidney problems (scleroderma renal crisis). Diagnosis is based on clinical findings, autoantibody testing, and imaging studies. There's no known cure, but treatments aim to manage symptoms and prevent organ damage.
Example 1: A 45-year-old female presents with Raynaud's phenomenon, tightening of the skin on her fingers and face, and joint pain.Autoantibody testing is positive for anti-centromere antibodies.Diagnosis of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (CREST syndrome) is made., A 32-year-old woman experiences widespread skin thickening, dyspnea (shortness of breath) on exertion, and evidence of pulmonary hypertension on echocardiogram.She is diagnosed with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis., A 60-year-old male with a history of systemic sclerosis develops sudden-onset hypertension and decreased urine output, consistent with scleroderma renal crisis.He requires emergent treatment to preserve kidney function.
Complete medical history, including family history of autoimmune diseases.Physical examination noting skin changes, joint involvement, and organ system assessment.Laboratory results, including complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), autoantibody testing, urinalysis.Imaging studies such as chest X-ray, CT scan, echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) as needed.Skin biopsy for confirmation in some cases.
** The severity and progression of systemic sclerosis vary significantly among individuals.Regular monitoring for complications is crucial.Treatment often involves a multidisciplinary team.
- Revenue Code: Revenue codes will vary depending on the specific services provided and the payer. Consult your payer's guidelines for appropriate revenue codes.
- RVU: RVUs are not provided and will vary based on the specific services rendered, geographic location, and payer.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is a diagnosis code, not a procedure code.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to diagnosis codes.
- Fee Schedule: Not applicable to diagnosis codes.
- Specialties:Rheumatology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center, Other