2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M47.029Vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M45-M49›M47

ICD-10-CM M47.029
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M47.029 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified. 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. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 22 closely related codes. The code is flagged as an unspecified code, since codes identifying laterality exist in the same family. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective).

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M47.029
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified
Short Description
Vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M47.02
Vertebral artery compression syndromes

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM45-M49Spondylopathies
CategoryM47Spondylosis
This CodeM47.029Vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for M47.029.

Unspecified codes
Unspecified codes exist in the ICD-10-CM classification for circumstances when documentation in the medical record does not provide the level of detail needed to support reporting a more specific code. However, in the inpatient setting, there should generally be very limited and rare circumstances for which the laterality (right, left, bilateral) of a condition is unable to be documented and reported. The following pages contain the list of unspecified ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes for which there is a more specific code to identify laterality (right, left, bilateral) within that code family.

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Vertebral Artery Syndrome

    a syndrome which occurs as a result of the occlusion of one of the vertebral arteries. it may be caused by atherosclerosis, embolism or hemorrhage. collateral circulation through the circle of willis is usually comprised as well. clinical signs may include vertigo, nystagmus, dysarthria, ataxia and sensorimotor deficits. clinical course may lead to persistence of neurologic deficits. prognosis is variable with a substantial risk for recurrent infarction.

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 M47.029 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
721.1 Cerv spondyl w myelopath
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 M47.029Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified?

The ICD-10-CM code for vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified is M47.029 (sometimes written as M47029). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Is M47.029 (Vertebral artery compression syndromes) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does M47.029 group to?

When vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified 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.

Is M47.029 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists M47.029 as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2026. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 22 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M47.029?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, vertebral artery compression syndromes, site unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 721.1 (cerv spondyl w myelopath). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.