2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M54.2Cervicalgia

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M50-M54›M54

ICD-10-CM M54.2
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M54.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cervicalgia. 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spondylopathies/spondyloarthropathy (including infective).

This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, and Orthopedics medical specialties to designate conditions such back and neck pain.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
M54.2
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Cervicalgia
Short Description
Cervicalgia
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
M54
Dorsalgia

Code Classification

ChapterM00–M99Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
SectionM50-M54Other dorsopathies
CategoryM54Dorsalgia
This CodeM54.2Cervicalgia

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Axis pressure pain
  • Cervical facet joint pain
  • Cervical spine tender
  • Cervico-occipital neuralgia
  • Chronic neck pain
  • Chronic neck pain for greater than 3 months
  • Chronic primary cervical pain
  • Chronic primary musculoskeletal pain
  • Finding of sensation of musculoskeletal structure of neck
  • Finding of sensation of thyroid gland
  • Myofascial neck pain
  • Myofascial pain
  • Myofascial pain syndrome
  • Myofascial pain syndrome of neck
  • Neck pain
  • Neck pain aggravated by recumbency
  • Neck pain co-occurrent with neck stiffness following whiplash injury to neck
  • Neck pain co-occurrent with neurological deficit following whiplash injury to neck
  • Neck pain co-occurrent with tenderness of neck following whiplash injury to neck
  • Neurological deficit
  • Nuchal pain
  • Pain in cervical spine
  • Pain in thyroid
  • Pain of endocrine structure
  • Pain of facet joint
  • Pain of head and neck region
  • Pain of vertebral joint
  • Pain on movement of cervical spine
  • Pain radiating to neck
  • Stiff neck
  • Tenderness of bone
  • Tenderness of endocrine structure
  • Tenderness of head and neck region
  • Tenderness of neck
  • Tenderness of spinous process of cervical vertebra
  • Tenderness of thyroid

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 1 Excludes

  • cervicalgia due to intervertebral cervical disc disorder M50

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.

    • Cervicalgia
    • Pain(s)
      • neck NEC
    • Pain(s)
      • spine
        • cervical

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Neck Pain

    discomfort or more intense forms of pain that are localized to the cervical region. this term generally refers to pain in the posterior or lateral regions of the neck.

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 M54.2 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
723.1 Cervicalgia
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 M54.2Overview

Is M54.2 (Dorsalgia) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report cervicalgia on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does M54.2 group to?

When cervicalgia 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 M54.2?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, cervicalgia converts to ICD-9-CM 723.1 (cervicalgia). The mapping is a direct match.

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.