2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q76.0Spina bifida occulta

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q65-Q79›Q76

ICD-10-CM Q76.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Q76.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for spina bifida occulta. 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 Musculoskeletal congenital conditions.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q76.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Spina bifida occulta
Short Description
Spina bifida occulta
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Q76
Congenital malformations of spine and bony thorax

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ65-Q79Congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system
CategoryQ76Congenital malformations of spine and bony thorax
This CodeQ76.0Spina bifida occulta

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Q76.0 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.

  • Spina bifida occulta

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Type 1 Excludes

  • meningocele spinal Q05
  • spina bifida aperta cystica Q05

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.

    • Spina bifida(aperta)
      • occulta

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Spina Bifida Occulta

    a common congenital midline defect of fusion of the vertebral arch without protrusion of the spinal cord or meninges. the lesion is also covered by skin. l5 and s1 are the most common vertebrae involved. the condition may be associated with an overlying area of hyperpigmented skin, a dermal sinus, or an abnormal patch of hair. the majority of individuals with this malformation are asymptomatic although there is an increased incidence of tethered cord syndrome and lumbar spondylosis. (from joynt, clinical neurology, 1992, ch55, p34)

  • Spondylosis

    a degenerative spinal disease that can involve any part of the vertebra, the intervertebral disk, and the surrounding soft tissue.

  • Spina Bifida Occulta

    the mildest form of spina bifida, characterized by any of several neural tube defects which may go undetected until an x-ray is performed. treatment is symptomatic.

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 Q76.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
756.17 Spina bifida occulta
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 Q76.0Overview

Is Q76.0 (Congenital malformations of spine and bony thorax) a billable code?

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

Is Q76.0 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 spina bifida occulta on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Q76.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, spina bifida occulta converts to ICD-9-CM 756.17 (spina bifida occulta). 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.