2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q05.9Spina bifida, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q00-Q07›Q05

ICD-10-CM Q05.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Q05.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for spina bifida, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nervous system congenital anomalies.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q05.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Spina bifida, unspecified
Short Description
Spina bifida, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Q05
Spina bifida

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ00-Q07Congenital malformations of the nervous system
CategoryQ05Spina bifida
This CodeQ05.9Spina bifida, unspecified

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Q05.9 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Aqueduct of Sylvius anomaly
  • Benign neoplasm of spinal meninges
  • Congenital cleft hand
  • Congenital meningocele
  • Congenital spinal meningocele
  • Congenital stenosis of aqueduct of Sylvius
  • Cutaneous lesion resulting from spina bifida
  • Hemimyelocele
  • Holorachischisis
  • Lateral meningocele
  • Lipoma co-occurrent with spina bifida
  • Lipomeningocele
  • Lipomyelomeningocele
  • Meningocele
  • Meningomyelocele
  • Myelic limited dorsal malformation
  • Myelocele
  • Myelocystocele
  • Myelomeningocele without hydrocephalus
  • Neurogenic urinary bladder due to spina bifida
  • Non-terminal myelocystocele
  • Port-wine stain associated with spinal dysraphism
  • Port-wine stain of skin
  • Posterior meningocele
  • Pressure injury due to spina bifida
  • Rachischisis
  • Rachischisis partialis
  • Spina bifida
  • Spina bifida aperta
  • Spina bifida with stenosis of aqueduct of Sylvius
  • Spina bifida without hydrocephalus
  • Spina bifida without hydrocephalus - closed
  • Spina bifida without hydrocephalus - open
  • Split hand, obstructive uropathy, spina bifida, diaphragmatic defect syndrome
  • Terminal myelocystocele

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.

    • Anomaly, anomalous(congenital) (unspecified type)
      • meningocele
    • Spina bifida(aperta)

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MAL004
Nervous system congenital anomalies
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Meningocele

    a congenital or acquired protrusion of the meninges, unaccompanied by neural tissue, through a bony defect in the skull or vertebral column.

  • Meningomyelocele

    congenital, or rarely acquired, herniation of meningeal and spinal cord tissue through a bony defect in the vertebral column. the majority of these defects occur in the lumbosacral region. clinical features include paraplegia, loss of sensation in the lower body, and incontinence. this condition may be associated with the arnold-chiari malformation and hydrocephalus. (from joynt, clinical neurology, 1992, ch55, pp35-6)

  • Cervical Myelocele

    herniation of spinal cord tissue and meninges through a defect in the cervical region of the vertebral column. the protrusion of the tissue is flush with the level of the skin surface.

  • Cervical Myelomeningocele|Cervical Meningomyelocele|Cervical Meningomyelocele

    a congenital abnormality in the cervical region of the spine in which the spinal cord and meninges protrude through a defect in the spinal column. the protrusion is above the skin surface.

  • Lumbar Myelocele

    herniation of spinal cord tissue and meninges through a defect in the lumbar region of the vertebral column. the protrusion of the tissue is flush with the level of the skin surface.

  • Lumbar Myelomeningocele|Lumbar Meningomyelocele|Lumbar Meningomyelocele

    a congenital abnormality in the lumbar region of the spine, in which the spinal cord and meninges protrude through a defect in the spinal column. the protrusion is above the skin surface.

  • Myelocele

    herniation of spinal cord tissue through a defect in a region of the vertebral column. the protrusion of the tissue is flush with the level of the skin surface.

  • Myelomeningocele|Meningomyelocele|Spina Bifida Cystica|Spina Bifida Cystica

    a congenital abnormality in which the spinal cord and meninges protrude through a defect in the spinal column. the protrusion is above the skin surface.

  • Sacral Myelocele

    herniation of spinal cord tissue and meninges through a defect in the sacral region of the vertebral column. the protrusion of the tissue is flush with the level of the skin surface.

  • Sacral Myelomeningocele|Congenital Sacral Meningocele|Sacral Meningomyelocele

    a congenital abnormality in the sacral region of the spine, in which the spinal cord and meninges protrude through a defect in the spinal column. the protrusion is above the skin surface.

  • Spina Bifida|Rachischisis|SPINA BIFIDA|Spinal Meningocele|Spinal Myelocele|Spinal Myelomeningocele

    a congenital neural tube defect in which vertebrae are not fully formed. it results in the protrusion of the spinal cord through the opening of the vertebrae.

  • Thoracic Myelocele

    herniation of spinal cord tissue and meninges through a defect in the thoracic region of the vertebral column. the protrusion of the tissue is flush with the level of the skin surface.

  • Thoracic Myelomeningocele|Thoracic Meningomyelocele|Thoracic Meningomyelocele

    a congenital abnormality in the thoracic region of the spine, in which the spinal cord and meninges protrude through a defect in the spinal column. the protrusion is above the skin surface.

Patient EducationClinical

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a neural tube defect - a type of birth defect of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. It happens if the spinal column of the fetus doesn't close completely during the first month of pregnancy. This can damage the nerves and spinal cord. Screening tests during pregnancy can check for spina bifida.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert Q05.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
741.00 Spin bif w hydroceph NOS
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
741.90 Spina bifida
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 Q05.9Overview

Is Q05.9 (Spina bifida) a billable code?

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

Is Q05.9 exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for spina bifida, unspecified on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Q05.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, spina bifida, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 741.00 (spin bif w hydroceph NOS) and 741.90 (spina bifida). 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.