2025 ICD-10-CM code M34.9
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Diseases - Systemic connective tissue disorders (M30-M36) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99) Feed
Systemic sclerosis, unspecified; a chronic autoimmune disease causing excessive collagen production, leading to tissue hardening and thickening.
Medical necessity for the diagnosis and treatment of systemic sclerosis is established based on clinical findings supporting the presence of the disease, such as the characteristic skin changes, positive autoantibodies, and/or organ involvement requiring intervention.The need for specific treatments should be supported by appropriate clinical indications.
Diagnosis and management of systemic sclerosis involves thorough history taking, physical examination, ordering and interpreting laboratory tests (blood tests, urinalysis), imaging studies (X-rays, CT scans), and potentially a skin biopsy.Treatment may involve prescribing medications (corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, NSAIDs) and referring for physical therapy and specialized care for organ-specific complications (e.g., pulmonology, cardiology, nephrology).
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
- M34.9 falls under the broader category of Systemic connective tissue disorders (M30-M36) within Chapter 13 (Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue).
In simple words: This code means the patient has scleroderma, an autoimmune disease causing the body to produce too much scar tissue, hardening the skin and other organs like the lungs, heart, and kidneys.The doctor hasn't specified which type of scleroderma it is.
M34.9, Systemic sclerosis, unspecified, is an ICD-10-CM code representing systemic sclerosis without specification of the type (limited or diffuse cutaneous).Systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by excessive collagen production resulting in the hardening and thickening of body tissues. This can affect the skin, internal organs (lungs, heart, kidneys), and other systems. The diagnosis is based on patient history, physical examination, imaging (X-rays, CT scans), blood tests (autoantibody tests, ESR, CBC), urinalysis, and skin biopsy. While there's no cure, treatment focuses on managing symptoms with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, NSAIDs, physical therapy, and addressing specific organ involvement.
Example 1: A 50-year-old female presents with Raynaud's phenomenon, tightening of the skin on her hands, and difficulty swallowing.Physical exam and laboratory findings confirm the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis, unspecified., A 60-year-old male with a history of pulmonary fibrosis is diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, unspecified, after a lung biopsy.Treatment focuses on managing his pulmonary symptoms and other systemic manifestations., A 45-year-old female is referred to a rheumatologist due to skin thickening, joint pain, and positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test.She is ultimately diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, unspecified, requiring treatment with immunosuppressants.
Detailed patient history including symptom onset, progression, and organ involvement.Results of physical examination, blood tests (CBC, ESR, ANA, autoantibody profiles), urinalysis, imaging studies (X-rays, CT scans), and potentially skin biopsy.Documentation of treatment plan and response to therapy.
** This code is used when the type of systemic sclerosis cannot be determined or is not specified.Always consider the clinical context and associated conditions when applying this code.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Nephrology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Clinic