2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D16.6Benign neoplasm of vertebral column

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D10-D36›D16

ICD-10-CM D16.6
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

D16.6 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for benign neoplasm of vertebral column. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 456 through 458, 564 through 566. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Benign neoplasms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
D16.6
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Benign neoplasm of vertebral column
Short Description
Benign neoplasm of vertebral column
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
D16
Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionD10-D36Benign neoplasms, except benign neuroendocrine tumors
CategoryD16Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage
This CodeD16.6Benign neoplasm of vertebral column

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Benign neoplasm of articular cartilage
  • Benign neoplasm of bone structure of spine
  • Benign neoplasm of cervical vertebra
  • Benign neoplasm of cervical vertebral column
  • Benign neoplasm of lumbar vertebra
  • Benign neoplasm of lumbar vertebral column
  • Benign neoplasm of thoracic vertebra
  • Benign neoplasm of thoracic vertebral column
  • Benign neoplasm of vertebra
  • Benign neoplasm of vertebral column
  • Benign neoplasm of vertebral column region
  • Benign neoplasm of vertebral column, excluding sacrum and coccyx
  • Benign notochordal tumor
  • Benign osteogenic neoplasm of articular cartilage of vertebral column
  • Benign osteogenic neoplasm of bone of vertebral column
  • Enostosis of vertebra
  • Mass of thoracic vertebrae
  • Neoplasm of cervical vertebra
  • Neoplasm of lumbar vertebra
  • Neoplasm of thoracic vertebra
  • Osteoid osteoma
  • Osteoid osteoma of spine

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 1 Excludes

  • benign neoplasm of sacrum and coccyx D16.8

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NEO073
Benign neoplasms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Nucleus Pulposus

    fibrocartilage inner core of the intervertebral disc. prolapsed or bulged nucleus pulposus leads to intervertebral disc displacement while proliferation of cells in the nucleus pulposus is associated with intervertebral disc degeneration.

Table of NeoplasmsClinical

Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.

SiteMalig.
Primary		Malig.
Secondary		Ca
in situ		BenignUncertainUnspec.
atlasC41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
bone (periosteum) › atlasC41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
bone (periosteum) › axisC41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
bone (periosteum) › back NECC41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
bone (periosteum) › intervertebral cartilage or discC41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
bone (periosteum) › spine, spinal (column)C41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
bone (periosteum) › vertebra (column)C41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
cartilage (articular) (joint) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, bone] › intervertebralC41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
disc, intervertebralC41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
intervertebral cartilage or discC41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
nucleus pulposusC41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
spine, spinal (column)C41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
spine, spinal (column) › lumbosacralC41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2
vertebra (column)C41.2C79.51–D16.6D48.0D49.2

Patient EducationClinical

Benign Tumors

Tumors are abnormal growths in your body. They can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer. Malignant ones are. Benign tumors grow only in one place. They cannot spread or invade other parts of your body. Even so, they can be dangerous if they press on vital organs, such as your brain.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert D16.6 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
213.2 Benign neo vertebrae
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About D16.6Overview

Is D16.6 (Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report benign neoplasm of vertebral column on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does D16.6 group to?

When benign neoplasm of vertebral column is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 456, 457, 458, 564, 565, 566, with relative weights from 0.7493 to 8.4034 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of D16.6?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, benign neoplasm of vertebral column converts to ICD-9-CM 213.2 (benign neo vertebrae). The mapping is a direct match.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.