2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M50.020Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region, unspecified level

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M50-M54›M50

ICD-10-CM M50.020
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M50.020 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region, unspecified level. 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. The code is flagged as an unspecified code, since codes identifying laterality exist in the same family. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective).

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M50.020
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region, unspecified level
Short Description
Cerv disc disord with myelpath, mid-cervical rgn, unsp level
Parent Code
M50.02
Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM50-M54Other dorsopathies
CategoryM50Cervical disc disorders
This CodeM50.020Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region, unspecified level

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for M50.020.

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.

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Disorder(of)
      • disc (intervertebral)
        • with
          • myelopathy
            • mid-cervical region
    • Disorder(of)
      • disc (intervertebral)
        • cervical
          • with
            • myelopathy
              • mid-cervical region

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 M50.020 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 History & ChangesHistory

Replacement M50.020 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • M50.02 - Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region
FY 2018AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2017.
FY 2019–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About M50.020Overview

Is M50.020 (Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does M50.020 group to?

When cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region, unspecified level 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.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M50.020?

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

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.