2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M48.35Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M45-M49›M48

ICD-10-CM M48.35
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M48.35 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar 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. 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 9 closely related codes. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective).

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M48.35
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region
Short Description
Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M48.3
Traumatic spondylopathy

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM45-M49Spondylopathies
CategoryM48Other spondylopathies
This CodeM48.35Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region

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

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 M48.35 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
721.7 Traumatic spondylopathy
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 M48.35Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region?

The ICD-10-CM code for traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region is M48.35 (sometimes written as M4835). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Is M48.35 (Traumatic spondylopathy) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does M48.35 group to?

When traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar 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.

Is M48.35 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists M48.35 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 9 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M48.35?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar region converts to ICD-9-CM 721.7 (traumatic spondylopathy). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.