Spina bifida (Q05) ICD-10-CM
The Q05 code range covers spina bifida with 11 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 10 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- hydromeningocele (spinal)
- meningocele (spinal)
- meningomyelocele
- myelocele
- myelomeningocele
- rachischisis
- spina bifida (aperta)(cystica)
- syringomyelocele
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
- code for any associated paraplegia paraparesis G82.2
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Codes in the Q05 Range 11 codes · 10 billable
- Q05 Spina bifidaNon-billable
- Q05.0 Cervical spina bifida with hydrocephalus
- Q05.1 Thoracic spina bifida with hydrocephalus
- Q05.2 Lumbar spina bifida with hydrocephalus
- Q05.3 Sacral spina bifida with hydrocephalus
- Q05.4 Unspecified spina bifida with hydrocephalus
- Q05.5 Cervical spina bifida without hydrocephalus
- Q05.6 Thoracic spina bifida without hydrocephalus
- Q05.7 Lumbar spina bifida without hydrocephalus
- Q05.8 Sacral spina bifida without hydrocephalus
- Q05.9 Spina bifida, unspecified
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the Q05 range.
Spinal Dysraphism
Congenital defects of closure of one or more vertebral arches, which may be associated with malformations of the spinal cord, nerve roots, congenital fibrous bands, lipomas, and congenital cysts. These malformations range from mild (e.g., SPINA BIFIDA OCCULTA) to severe, including rachischisis where there is complete failure of neural tube and spinal cord fusion, resulting in exposure of the spinal cord at the surface. Spinal dysraphism includes all forms of spina bifida. The open form is called SPINA BIFIDA CYSTICA and the closed form is SPINA BIFIDA OCCULTA. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch55, p34)
About the Q05 Code Range
Spina bifida is a birth defect in which part of the bony spine does not close fully.
Q05 separates cases by whether hydrocephalus is present and by the spinal site: neck, upper back, lower back, or base of the spine. For example, Q05.0 identifies a cervical site with hydrocephalus, while Q05.5 identifies that site without it. Q05.4 leaves the site unspecified; Q05.9 leaves spina bifida unspecified.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the Q05 range?
Of the 11 codes in this range, 10 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the Q05 range classify?
The range classifies spina bifida. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
