2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M49Spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M45-M49›M49

ICD-10-CM M49
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

M49 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as M49.80, M49.81, M49.82, and M49.83.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M49
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere
Short Description
Spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
M45-M49
Spondylopathies

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM45-M49Spondylopathies
CategoryM49Spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere
This CodeM49Spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere

Specific Coding for Spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhereOverview

Non-specific codes like M49 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • M49.8 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere

  • Use M49.80 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, site unspecified

  • Use M49.81 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, occipito-atlanto-axial region

  • Use M49.82 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, cervical region

  • Use M49.83 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, cervicothoracic region

  • Use M49.84 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, thoracic region

  • Use M49.85 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, thoracolumbar region

  • Use M49.86 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, lumbar region

  • Use M49.87 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, lumbosacral region

  • Use M49.88 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, sacral and sacrococcygeal region

  • Use M49.89 for Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, multiple sites in spine

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M49: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 13. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • curvature of spine in diseases classified elsewhere
  • deformity of spine in diseases classified elsewhere
  • kyphosis in diseases classified elsewhere
  • scoliosis in diseases classified elsewhere
  • spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • curvature of spine in tuberculosis [Pott's] (A18.01)
  • enteropathic arthropathies (M07.-)
  • gonococcal spondylitis (A54.41)
  • neuropathic [tabes dorsalis] spondylitis (A52.11)
  • neuropathic spondylopathy in syringomyelia (G95.0)
  • neuropathic spondylopathy in tabes dorsalis (A52.11)
  • nonsyphilitic neuropathic spondylopathy NEC (G98.0)
  • spondylitis in syphilis (acquired) (A52.77)
  • tuberculous spondylitis (A18.01)
  • typhoid fever spondylitis (A01.05)

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.

From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • 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)

Code First

The underlying condition named in the note is sequenced before this code.

  • underlying disease, such as:
  • brucellosis (A23.-)
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (G60.0)
  • enterobacterial infections (A01-A04)
  • osteitis fibrosa cystica (E21.0)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 13 (M00-M99) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue applies to 6,687 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the musculoskeletal condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the musculoskeletal condition

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

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.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About M49Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere?

M49 is the ICD-10-CM category for spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is M49 (Spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere need a more specific code from this category, such as M49.80, M49.81, and M49.82.

Can M49 be reported with A18.01?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on M49 lists "curvature of spine in tuberculosis [Pott's] (A18.01)". 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 coded first with M49?

The Code First note reads: underlying disease, such as: brucellosis (A23.-); Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (G60.0); enterobacterial infections (A01-A04); osteitis fibrosa cystica (E21.0). When one of these applies, it is sequenced before M49.