2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M51.04Intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracic region
ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M50-M54›M51
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- CC — Complication or Comorbidity
- Chronic Condition
M51.04 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracic 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 4 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as intervertebral disc disorder of thoracic region 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 thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Intervertebral disc disorder of thoracic region with myelopathy
- Intervertebral disc disorder with myelopathy
- Thoracic disc prolapse with myelopathy
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
Disease, diseased See Also: Syndrome;
intervertebral disc See Also: Disorder, disc;
myelopathy M51.04
Disorder (of) See Also: Disease;
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Spinal Cord Diseases
Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of your back. It carries signals back and forth between your body and your brain. It is protected by your vertebrae, which are the bone disks that make up your spine.
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Convert M51.04 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About M51.04Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracic region?
The ICD-10-CM code for intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracic region is M51.04 (sometimes written as M5104). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Is M51.04 a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracic region on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does M51.04 group to?
When intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracic 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 M51.04 a CC or MCC?
CMS lists M51.04 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 4 closely related codes in its exclusion list.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of M51.04?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, thoracic region converts to ICD-9-CM 722.72 (thor disc dis w myelopat). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
