M54
Non-Billable

Dorsalgia

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Dorsalgia?

ICD-10-CM M54 is the diagnosis code for Dorsalgia. 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.

⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for M54

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

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

  • psychogenic dorsalgia (F45.41)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

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

Sub-Codes 9 entries
M54.0Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and backNon-BillableM54.00Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, site unspecifiedBillableM54.01Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, occipito-atlanto-axial regionBillableM54.02Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervical regionBillableM54.03Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervicothoracic regionBillableM54.04Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, thoracic regionBillableM54.05Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, thoracolumbar regionBillableM54.06Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, lumbar regionBillableM54.07Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, lumbosacral regionBillableM54.08Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionBillableM54.09Panniculitis affecting regions, neck and back, multiple sites in spineBillableM54.1RadiculopathyNon-BillableM54.10Radiculopathy, 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 regionBillableM54.2CervicalgiaBillableM54.3SciaticaNon-BillableM54.30Sciatica, unspecified sideBillableM54.31Sciatica, right sideBillableM54.32Sciatica, left sideBillableM54.4Lumbago with sciaticaNon-BillableM54.40Lumbago with sciatica, unspecified sideBillableM54.41Lumbago with sciatica, right sideBillableM54.42Lumbago with sciatica, left sideBillableM54.5Low back painNon-BillableM54.50Low back pain, unspecifiedBillableM54.51Vertebrogenic low back painBillableM54.59Other low back painBillableM54.6Pain in thoracic spineBillableM54.8Other dorsalgiaNon-BillableM54.81Occipital neuralgiaBillableM54.89Other dorsalgiaBillableM54.9Dorsalgia, unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is M54 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

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

What does M54 mean?

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

What section is M54 in?

M54 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?

M54 has 9 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: M54.0, M54.1, M54.2, M54.3, M54.4 and more.

When should I use M54?

Use M54 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Dorsalgia" 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 Dorsalgia?

The ICD-10-CM code for Dorsalgia is M54.

Can M54 be used for primary diagnosis?

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

What chapter is M54 in?

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

What conditions are excluded from M54?

Type 1 Excludes for M54 include: psychogenic dorsalgia (F45.41).

Is M54 valid for 2026?

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

See Also

← PreviousM53.9Dorsopathy, unspecifiedNext →M54.0Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back
Code Details
M54
Dorsalgia
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
13 — Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
M50-M54 — Other dorsopathies
2026 ICD-10-CM