M48
Non-Billable

Other spondylopathies

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Other spondylopathies?

ICD-10-CM M48 is the diagnosis code for Other spondylopathies. This code falls under the section "Spondylopathies" 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.

Coding Guidelines for M48

Always refer to the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List for complete coding guidelines. Ensure documentation supports the specificity of the code selected. When in doubt, consult a certified medical coder or the latest CMS guidelines.

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where M48 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 8 entries
M48.0Spinal stenosisNon-BillableM48.00Spinal stenosis, site unspecifiedBillableM48.01Spinal stenosis, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM48.02Spinal stenosis, cervical regionBillableM48.03Spinal stenosis, cervicothoracic regionBillableM48.04Spinal stenosis, thoracic regionBillableM48.05Spinal stenosis, thoracolumbar regionBillableM48.06Spinal stenosis, lumbar regionNon-BillableM48.061Spinal stenosis, lumbar region without neurogenic claudicationBillableM48.062Spinal stenosis, lumbar region with neurogenic claudicationBillableM48.07Spinal stenosis, lumbosacral regionBillableM48.08Spinal stenosis, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM48.1Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier]Non-BillableM48.10Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], site unspecifiedBillableM48.11Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM48.12Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], cervical regionBillableM48.13Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], cervicothoracic regionBillableM48.14Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], thoracic regionBillableM48.15Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], thoracolumbar regionBillableM48.16Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], lumbar regionBillableM48.17Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], lumbosacral regionBillableM48.18Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM48.19Ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier], multiple sites in spineBillableM48.2Kissing spineNon-BillableM48.20Kissing spine, site unspecifiedBillableM48.21Kissing spine, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM48.22Kissing spine, cervical regionBillableM48.23Kissing spine, cervicothoracic regionBillableM48.24Kissing spine, thoracic regionBillableM48.25Kissing spine, thoracolumbar regionBillableM48.26Kissing spine, lumbar regionBillableM48.27Kissing spine, lumbosacral regionBillableM48.3Traumatic spondylopathyNon-BillableM48.30Traumatic spondylopathy, site unspecifiedBillableM48.31Traumatic spondylopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM48.32Traumatic spondylopathy, cervical regionBillableM48.33Traumatic spondylopathy, cervicothoracic regionBillableM48.34Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracic regionBillableM48.35Traumatic spondylopathy, thoracolumbar regionBillableM48.36Traumatic spondylopathy, lumbar regionBillableM48.37Traumatic spondylopathy, lumbosacral regionBillableM48.38Traumatic spondylopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM48.4Fatigue fracture of vertebraNon-BillableM48.40Fatigue fracture of vertebra, site unspecifiedBillableM48.41Fatigue fracture of vertebra, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM48.42Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervical regionBillableM48.43Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic regionBillableM48.44Fatigue fracture of vertebra, thoracic regionBillableM48.45Fatigue fracture of vertebra, thoracolumbar regionBillableM48.46Fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar regionBillableM48.47Fatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbosacral regionBillableM48.48Fatigue fracture of vertebra, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM48.5Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classifiedNon-BillableM48.50Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecifiedBillableM48.51Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM48.52Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, cervical regionBillableM48.53Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, cervicothoracic regionBillableM48.54Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, thoracic regionBillableM48.55Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, thoracolumbar regionBillableM48.56Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, lumbar regionBillableM48.57Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, lumbosacral regionBillableM48.58Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM48.8Other specified spondylopathiesNon-BillableM48.8XOther specified spondylopathiesNon-BillableM48.8X1Other specified spondylopathies, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM48.8X2Other specified spondylopathies, cervical regionBillableM48.8X3Other specified spondylopathies, cervicothoracic regionBillableM48.8X4Other specified spondylopathies, thoracic regionBillableM48.8X5Other specified spondylopathies, thoracolumbar regionBillableM48.8X6Other specified spondylopathies, lumbar regionBillableM48.8X7Other specified spondylopathies, lumbosacral regionBillableM48.8X8Other specified spondylopathies, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM48.8X9Other specified spondylopathies, site unspecifiedBillableM48.9Spondylopathy, unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is M48 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, M48 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does M48 mean?

M48 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Other spondylopathies". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is M48 in?

M48 is located in Section M45-M49 — "Spondylopathies" within Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of M48?

M48 has 8 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: M48.0, M48.1, M48.2, M48.3, M48.4 and more.

When should I use M48?

Use M48 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Other spondylopathies" 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 spondylopathies?

The ICD-10-CM code for Other spondylopathies is M48.

Can M48 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, M48 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is M48 in?

M48 is in Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is M48 valid for 2026?

Yes, M48 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousM47.9Spondylosis, unspecifiedNext →M48.0Spinal stenosis
Code Details
M48
Other spondylopathies
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
13 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
M45-M49 — Spondylopathies
2026 ICD-10-CM