M43
Non-Billable

Other deforming dorsopathies

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Other deforming dorsopathies?

ICD-10-CM M43 is the diagnosis code for Other deforming dorsopathies. This code falls under the section "Deforming dorsopathies" within Chapter 13 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for M43

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as M43. They are mutually exclusive:

  • congenital spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis (Q76.2)
  • hemivertebra (Q76.3-Q76.4)
  • Klippel-Feil syndrome (Q76.1)
  • lumbarization and sacralization (Q76.4)
  • platyspondylisis (Q76.4)
  • spina bifida occulta (Q76.0)
  • spinal curvature in osteoporosis (M80.-)
  • spinal curvature in Paget's disease of bone [osteitis deformans] (M88.-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where M43 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 9 entries
M43.0SpondylolysisNon-BillableM43.00Spondylolysis, site unspecifiedBillableM43.01Spondylolysis, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM43.02Spondylolysis, cervical regionBillableM43.03Spondylolysis, cervicothoracic regionBillableM43.04Spondylolysis, thoracic regionBillableM43.05Spondylolysis, thoracolumbar regionBillableM43.06Spondylolysis, lumbar regionBillableM43.07Spondylolysis, lumbosacral regionBillableM43.08Spondylolysis, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM43.09Spondylolysis, multiple sites in spineBillableM43.1SpondylolisthesisNon-BillableM43.10Spondylolisthesis, site unspecifiedBillableM43.11Spondylolisthesis, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM43.12Spondylolisthesis, cervical regionBillableM43.13Spondylolisthesis, cervicothoracic regionBillableM43.14Spondylolisthesis, thoracic regionBillableM43.15Spondylolisthesis, thoracolumbar regionBillableM43.16Spondylolisthesis, lumbar regionBillableM43.17Spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral regionBillableM43.18Spondylolisthesis, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM43.19Spondylolisthesis, multiple sites in spineBillableM43.2Fusion of spineNon-BillableM43.20Fusion of spine, site unspecifiedBillableM43.21Fusion of spine, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM43.22Fusion of spine, cervical regionBillableM43.23Fusion of spine, cervicothoracic regionBillableM43.24Fusion of spine, thoracic regionBillableM43.25Fusion of spine, thoracolumbar regionBillableM43.26Fusion of spine, lumbar regionBillableM43.27Fusion of spine, lumbosacral regionBillableM43.28Fusion of spine, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM43.3Recurrent atlantoaxial dislocation with myelopathyBillableM43.4Other recurrent atlantoaxial dislocationBillableM43.5Other recurrent vertebral dislocationNon-BillableM43.5XOther recurrent vertebral dislocationNon-BillableM43.5X2Other recurrent vertebral dislocation, cervical regionBillableM43.5X3Other recurrent vertebral dislocation, cervicothoracic regionBillableM43.5X4Other recurrent vertebral dislocation, thoracic regionBillableM43.5X5Other recurrent vertebral dislocation, thoracolumbar regionBillableM43.5X6Other recurrent vertebral dislocation, lumbar regionBillableM43.5X7Other recurrent vertebral dislocation, lumbosacral regionBillableM43.5X8Other recurrent vertebral dislocation, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM43.5X9Other recurrent vertebral dislocation, site unspecifiedBillableM43.6TorticollisBillableM43.8Other specified deforming dorsopathiesNon-BillableM43.8XOther specified deforming dorsopathiesNon-BillableM43.8X1Other specified deforming dorsopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM43.8X2Other specified deforming dorsopathies, cervical regionBillableM43.8X3Other specified deforming dorsopathies, cervicothoracic regionBillableM43.8X4Other specified deforming dorsopathies, thoracic regionBillableM43.8X5Other specified deforming dorsopathies, thoracolumbar regionBillableM43.8X6Other specified deforming dorsopathies, lumbar regionBillableM43.8X7Other specified deforming dorsopathies, lumbosacral regionBillableM43.8X8Other specified deforming dorsopathies, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM43.8X9Other specified deforming dorsopathies, site unspecifiedBillableM43.9Deforming dorsopathy, unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is M43 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, M43 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does M43 mean?

M43 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Other deforming dorsopathies". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is M43 in?

M43 is located in Section M40-M43 — "Deforming dorsopathies" within Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of M43?

M43 has 9 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: M43.0, M43.1, M43.2, M43.3, M43.4 and more.

When should I use M43?

Use M43 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Other deforming dorsopathies" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Other deforming dorsopathies?

The ICD-10-CM code for Other deforming dorsopathies is M43.

Can M43 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, M43 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is M43 in?

M43 is in Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from M43?

Type 1 Excludes for M43 include: congenital spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis (Q76.2); hemivertebra (Q76.3-Q76.4); Klippel-Feil syndrome (Q76.1) and more.

Is M43 valid for 2026?

Yes, M43 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousM42.9Spinal osteochondrosis, unspecifiedNext →M43.0Spondylolysis
Code Details
M43
Other deforming dorsopathies
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
13 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
M40-M43 — Deforming dorsopathies
2026 ICD-10-CM