2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M46.94Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracic region

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M45-M49›M46

ICD-10-CM M46.94
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M46.94 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracic region. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 551 through 552. Coders also document this condition as arthritis of facet joint of thoracic spine. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective).

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M46.94
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracic region
Short Description
Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracic region
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M46.9
Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM45-M49Spondylopathies
CategoryM46Other inflammatory spondylopathies
This CodeM46.94Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracic region

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Arthritis of facet joint of thoracic spine
  • Inflammation of thoracic spine joint
  • Thoracic spine inflamed

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Spondylopathy
      • inflammatory
        • thoracic region

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS011
Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective)
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Spine Injuries and Disorders

Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bone discs called vertebrae. The vertebrae protect your spinal cord and allow you to stand and bend. A number of problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. They include:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M46.94 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
720.9 Inflam spondylopathy NOS
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 M46.94Overview

Is M46.94 (Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracic region on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does M46.94 group to?

When unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracic region is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 551, 552, with relative weights from 0.9613 to 1.6761 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M46.94?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified inflammatory spondylopathy, thoracic region converts to ICD-9-CM 720.9 (inflam spondylopathy NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

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.