2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M50.00Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical region

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M50-M54›M50

ICD-10-CM M50.00
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M50.00 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical 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 14 closely related codes. The code is flagged as an unspecified code, since codes identifying laterality exist in the same family. Coders also document this condition as cervical disc prolapse with myelopathy. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective).

This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in Orthopedics medical specialties to designate conditions such cervical spine disorders and displacement.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M50.00
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical region
Short Description
Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unsp cervical region
Parent Code
M50.0
Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM50-M54Other dorsopathies
CategoryM50Cervical disc disorders
This CodeM50.00Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical region

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for M50.00.

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.

  • Cervical disc prolapse with myelopathy
  • Intervertebral disc disorder of cervical region with myelopathy
  • Intervertebral disc disorder with myelopathy
  • Prolapsed cervical intervertebral disc

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

Neck Injuries and Disorders

Any part of your neck - muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves - can cause neck problems. Neck pain is very common. Pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head, or upper arms.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M50.00 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
722.71 Cerv disc dis w myelopat
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 M50.00Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical region?

The ICD-10-CM code for cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical region is M50.00 (sometimes written as M5000). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Is M50.00 (Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical region on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does M50.00 group to?

When cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical 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 M50.00 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists M50.00 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 14 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M50.00?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical region converts to ICD-9-CM 722.71 (cerv disc dis w myelopat). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.