2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M48.50XACollapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecified, initial encounter for fracture

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M45-M49›M48

ICD-10-CM M48.50XA
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M48.50XA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecified, initial encounter for fracture. The 7th character A marks it as an initial encounter code, used while the patient is receiving active treatment. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 542 through 544. The code is flagged as an unspecified code, since codes identifying laterality exist in the same family. Coders also document this condition as collapse of vertebra. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Stress fracture, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M48.50XA
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecified, initial encounter for fracture
Short Description
Collapsed vertebra, NEC, site unsp, init
Parent Code
M48.50
Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecified

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM45-M49Spondylopathies
CategoryM48Other spondylopathies
This CodeM48.50XACollapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecified, initial encounter for fracture

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for M48.50XA.

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.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Collapse of vertebra
  • Compression fracture of vertebral column
  • Wedging of vertebra

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MUS016
Stress fracture, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Fractures

A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures are usually caused by injuries. Since they can sometimes be serious, it's important to get medical care right away if you think you have a fracture.

The full article covers:

  • What is a fracture?
  • What are the different types of fractures?
  • What causes fractures?
  • What are the symptoms of a fracture?
  • How are fractures diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for fractures?
  • Can fractures be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M48.50XA to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
733.13 Path fx vertebrae
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 M48.50XAOverview

Is M48.50XA a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecified, initial encounter for fracture on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in M48.50XA mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecified, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does M48.50XA group to?

When collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecified, initial encounter for fracture is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 542, 543, 544, with relative weights from 0.7546 to 1.7665 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M48.50XA?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecified, initial encounter for fracture converts to ICD-9-CM 733.13 (path fx vertebrae). 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.