2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M54.9Dorsalgia, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M50-M54›M54

ICD-10-CM M54.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

M54.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for dorsalgia, unspecified. 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 Musculoskeletal pain, not low back pain.

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
M54.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Dorsalgia, unspecified
Short Description
Dorsalgia, unspecified
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 CodeM54.9Dorsalgia, unspecified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Back pain complicating pregnancy
  • Back pain worse on sneezing
  • Backache
  • Backache with radiating pain
  • Chronic sacral pain for greater than three months
  • Discogenic pain
  • Disorder characterized by back pain
  • Exacerbation of backache
  • Pain in spine
  • Pain of erector spinae muscle
  • Pain of vertebral joint
  • Sacral back pain

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Backache NOS
  • Back pain NOS

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.

    • Backache(postural)
    • Dorsalgia
    • Pain(s)
      • back (postural)
    • Pain(s)
      • spine

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR MUS010
Musculoskeletal pain, not low back pain
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Back Pain

If you've ever groaned, "Oh, my aching back!", you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert M54.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
724.5 Backache NOS
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 M54.9Overview

Is M54.9 (Dorsalgia) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does M54.9 group to?

When dorsalgia, unspecified 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 M54.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, dorsalgia, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 724.5 (backache NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.