2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M48.51XGCollapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, occipito-atlanto-axial region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
M48.51XG is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, occipito-atlanto-axial region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing. The 7th character G means subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 559 through 561. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Stress fracture, subsequent encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M48.51XG: its own notes plus those printed at M48.5 and Chapter 13. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.
Excludes1
Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
- current injury - see Injury of spine, by body region
- fatigue fracture of vertebra (M48.4)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to neoplasm (M84.58)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to other diagnosis (M84.68)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to osteoporosis (M80.-)
- pathological fracture NOS (M84.4-)
- stress fracture of vertebra (M48.4-)
- traumatic fracture of vertebra (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-)
Excludes2
Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.
- arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
- certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
- certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
- complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
- endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
- injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- neoplasms (C00-D49)
- symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
Notes
General instructions on how these codes are used.
- Use an external cause code following the code for the musculoskeletal condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the musculoskeletal condition
7th Character
Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from subcategory M48.5:
- Ainitial encounter for fracture
- Dsubsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
- Gsubsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing this code
- Ssequela of fracture
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.
Referenced in Other NotesGuidance
Instructional notes printed at other codes that name M48.51XG, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 4
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming M48.51XG: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
- G55 Nerve root and plexus compressions in diseases classified elsewherenerve root compression (due to) (in) spondylopathies (M46.-, M48.-) names M48.-, which includes this code
- M80 Osteoporosis with current pathological fracturecollapsed vertebra NOS (M48.5) names M48.5, which includes this code
- M80 Osteoporosis with current pathological fracturewedging of vertebra NOS (M48.5) names M48.5, which includes this code
- M84.4 Pathological fracture, not elsewhere classifiedcollapsed vertebra NEC (M48.5) names M48.5, which includes this code
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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 M48.51XG to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About M48.51XGOverview
Is M48.51XG a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, occipito-atlanto-axial region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character G in M48.51XG mean?
The final character G reports a subsequent encounter where the collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, occipito-atlanto-axial region is healing more slowly than expected. In this category the CMS Tabular List defines G as "subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing".
What MS-DRG does M48.51XG group to?
When collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, occipito-atlanto-axial region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 559, 561, 560, with relative weights from 0.8258 to 1.8087 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can M48.51XG be reported with M48.4?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at M48.5, which applies to M48.51XG, lists "fatigue fracture of vertebra (M48.4)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M48.51XG?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, occipito-atlanto-axial region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing converts to ICD-9-CM V54.27 (aftrcare path fx vertebr). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
