M54.1
Non-Billable

Radiculopathy

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Radiculopathy?

ICD-10-CM M54.1 is the diagnosis code for Radiculopathy. This code falls under the section "Other 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.

💡 Inclusions
⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for M54.1

✅ This Code Includes

  • Brachial neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Lumbar neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Lumbosacral neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Thoracic neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Radiculitis NOS

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as M54.1. They are mutually exclusive:

  • neuralgia and neuritis NOS (M79.2)
  • radiculopathy with cervical disc disorder (M50.1)
  • radiculopathy with lumbar and other intervertebral disc disorder (M51.1-)
  • radiculopathy with spondylosis (M47.2-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where M54.1 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 9 entries
M54.10Radiculopathy, site unspecifiedBillableM54.11Radiculopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM54.12Radiculopathy, cervical regionBillableM54.13Radiculopathy, cervicothoracic regionBillableM54.14Radiculopathy, thoracic regionBillableM54.15Radiculopathy, thoracolumbar regionBillableM54.16Radiculopathy, lumbar regionBillableM54.17Radiculopathy, lumbosacral regionBillableM54.18Radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is M54.1 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, M54.1 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does M54.1 mean?

M54.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Radiculopathy". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of M54.1?

The parent code of M54.1 is M54 ("Dorsalgia"). M54.1 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is M54.1 in?

M54.1 is located in Section M50-M54 — "Other dorsopathies" within Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of M54.1?

M54.1 has 9 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: M54.10, M54.11, M54.12, M54.13, M54.14 and more.

When should I use M54.1?

Use M54.1 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Radiculopathy" 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 Radiculopathy?

The ICD-10-CM code for Radiculopathy is M54.1.

Can M54.1 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, M54.1 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is M54.1 in?

M54.1 is in Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from M54.1?

Type 1 Excludes for M54.1 include: neuralgia and neuritis NOS (M79.2); radiculopathy with cervical disc disorder (M50.1); radiculopathy with lumbar and other intervertebral disc disorder (M51.1-) and more.

Is M54.1 valid for 2026?

Yes, M54.1 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousM54.09Panniculitis affecting regions, neck and back, multiple sites in spineNext →M54.10Radiculopathy, site unspecified
Code Details
M54.1
Radiculopathy
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
13 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
M50-M54 — Other dorsopathies
2026 ICD-10-CM