2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q06.9Congenital malformation of spinal cord, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q00-Q07›Q06

ICD-10-CM Q06.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Q06.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for congenital malformation of spinal cord, 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. Coders also document this condition as abnormality of canalization and retrogressive differentiation. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nervous system congenital anomalies.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q06.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Congenital malformation of spinal cord, unspecified
Short Description
Congenital malformation of spinal cord, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Q06
Other congenital malformations of spinal cord

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ00-Q07Congenital malformations of the nervous system
CategoryQ06Other congenital malformations of spinal cord
This CodeQ06.9Congenital malformation of spinal cord, unspecified

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Q06.9 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.

  • Abnormality of canalization and retrogressive differentiation
  • Benign neoplasm of spinal meninges
  • Congenital anomaly of spinal cord
  • Congenital anomaly of spinal meninges
  • Congenital malformation of the meninges
  • Fibrolipoma of filum terminale

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Inclusion Terms

  • Congenital anomaly NOS of spinal cord
  • Congenital deformity NOS of spinal cord
  • Congenital disease or lesion NOS of spinal cord

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)
      • dura (brain)
        • spinal cord
    • Anomaly, anomalous(congenital) (unspecified type)
      • meningeal bands or folds
        • spinal
    • Anomaly, anomalous(congenital) (unspecified type)
      • meninges
        • spinal
    • Anomaly, anomalous(congenital) (unspecified type)
      • spine, spinal NEC
        • cord
    • Deformity
      • spinal
        • cord (congenital)
    • Disease, diseased
      • spinal (cord)
        • congenital
    • Lesion(s) (nontraumatic)
      • spinal cord
        • congenital
    • Malformation(congenital)
      • dura
        • spinal
    • Malformation(congenital)
      • meninges or membrane (congenital)
        • spinal (cord)
    • Malformation(congenital)
      • spinal
        • cord

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

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert Q06.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
742.59 Spinal cord anomaly NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
742.9 Nervous system anom 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 Q06.9Overview

Is Q06.9 (Other congenital malformations of spinal cord) a billable code?

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

Is Q06.9 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 congenital malformation of spinal cord, unspecified on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Q06.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, congenital malformation of spinal cord, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 742.59 (spinal cord anomaly NEC) and 742.9 (nervous system anom NOS). 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.