2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q68.0Congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q65-Q79›Q68

ICD-10-CM Q68.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Q68.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 564 through 566. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Musculoskeletal congenital conditions.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q68.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle
Short Description
Congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Q68
Other congenital musculoskeletal deformities

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ65-Q79Congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system
CategoryQ68Other congenital musculoskeletal deformities
This CodeQ68.0Congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Q68.0 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review the other POA exempt codes in Congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system (Q65-Q79).

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Congenital anomaly of left sternocleidomastoid muscle
  • Congenital anomaly of right sternocleidomastoid muscle
  • Congenital anomaly of sternocleidomastoid muscle
  • Congenital deformity of bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscles
  • Congenital deformity of left sternocleidomastoid muscle
  • Congenital deformity of right sternocleidomastoid muscle
  • Congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle
  • Congenital sternomastoid tumor
  • Congenital torticollis
  • Contracture of sternomastoid
  • Hyperpyrexia
  • Malignant hyperthermia
  • Malignant hyperthermia with arthrogryposis and torticollis syndrome
  • Torticollis, keloids, cryptorchidism, renal dysplasia syndrome

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to Q68.0: its own notes plus those printed at Q68 and Chapter 17. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Applicable To

Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.

  • Congenital contracture of sternocleidomastoid (muscle)
  • Congenital (sternomastoid) torticollis
  • Sternomastoid tumor (congenital)

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From Q68 Other congenital musculoskeletal deformities applies to 8 codes
  • reduction defects of limb(s) (Q71-Q73)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Q68 Other congenital musculoskeletal deformities applies to 8 codes
  • congenital myotonic chondrodystrophy (G71.13)
From Chapter 17 (Q00-QA1) Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities applies to 900 codes
  • inborn errors of metabolism (E70-E88)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 17 (Q00-QA1) Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities applies to 900 codes
  • Codes from this chapter are not for use on maternal records

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name Q68.0, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 4

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming Q68.0: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • G24.3 Spasmodic torticollis
    congenital torticollis (Q68.0)
  • M43.6 Torticollis
    congenital (sternomastoid) torticollis (Q68.0)
  • R29.891 Ocular torticollis
    congenital (sternomastoid) torticollis Q68.0
  • M20 Acquired deformities of fingers and toes
    congenital deformities and malformations of fingers and toes (Q66.-, Q68-Q70, Q74.-) names Q68-Q70, which includes this code

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming Q68.0: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Q79 Congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system, not elsewhere classified
    congenital (sternomastoid) torticollis (Q68.0)

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR MAL008
Musculoskeletal congenital conditions
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Birth Defects

A birth defect is a problem that happens while a baby is developing in the mother's body. Most birth defects happen during the first 3 months of pregnancy. One out of every 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect.

The full article covers:

  • What are birth defects?
  • What causes birth defects?
  • Who is at risk of having a baby with birth defects?
  • How are birth defects diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for birth defects?
  • Can birth defects be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert Q68.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
754.1 Congenital torticollis
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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About Q68.0Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle?

The ICD-10-CM code for congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle is Q68.0 (sometimes written as Q680). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is Q68.0 (Other congenital musculoskeletal deformities) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does Q68.0 group to?

When congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 564, 566, 565, with relative weights from 0.7374 to 1.4909 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is Q68.0 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 deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle on inpatient claims. The code appears in the Congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system (Q65-Q79) range of the CMS exempt list.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Q68.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle converts to ICD-9-CM 754.1 (congenital torticollis). The mapping is a direct match.