ICD-10-PCS Code For Occipital-Cervical Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) code group 0RG0 includes procedures performed to fuse portions of the occipital-cervical joint to render the joint immobile in the upper joints body system. These ICD-10-PCS codes are used for inpatient documentation when a surgical fusion of the occipital-cervical junction is performed to stabilize, immobilize, or correct instability. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-PCS 0RG0 group is essential for proper inpatient reimbursement, as it captures the procedure performed and determines appropriate case mix and payment.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Occipital-Cervical Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Get alerted when relevant policies change without checking for updates manually.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Occipital-cervical Joint Fusion Procedure Overview

This procedure group includes fusion operations that join together portions of the occipital-cervical joint to render the joint immobile. These procedures target the upper joints body system and involve stabilizing or fusing the junction between the occiput and cervical spine. Accurate ICD-10-PCS coding matters for inpatient reimbursement because it documents the specific fusion performed and supports appropriate case mix and payment.

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
0	Section	Medical and Surgical
R	Body System	Upper Joints
G	Operation	Fusion
0	Body Part	Occipital-cervical Joint

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

ICD-10-PCS Code For Occipital-Cervical Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Occipital-Cervical Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Get alerted when relevant policies change without checking for updates manually.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Occipital-cervical Joint Fusion Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

Character	ICD-10-PCS Category	Code Group Details
0	Section	Medical and Surgical
R	Body System	Upper Joints
G	Operation	Fusion
0	Body Part	Occipital-cervical Joint

When to Use

Use a code from this group when a surgical fusion of the occiput-to-cervical junction is performed to stabilize or immobilize the joint. Codes apply when the operation’s intent is to join articular surfaces and create immobility rather than to excise, repair, or replace the joint.

ICD-10-PCS Codes

33 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
0RG0070	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Autologous Tissue Substitute, Anterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG0071	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Autologous Tissue Substitute, Posterior Approach, Posterior Column, Open Approach
0RG007J	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Autologous Tissue Substitute, Posterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00A0	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Interbody Fusion Device, Anterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00AJ	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Interbody Fusion Device, Posterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00J0	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Synthetic Substitute, Anterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00J1	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Synthetic Substitute, Posterior Approach, Posterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00JJ	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Synthetic Substitute, Posterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00K0	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Nonautologous Tissue Substitute, Anterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00K1	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Nonautologous Tissue Substitute, Posterior Approach, Posterior Column, Open Approach

Showing 1–10 of 33

DRG Codes

12 rows

DRG Code	Description
028	Spinal Procedures with MCC
029	Spinal Procedures with CC or Spinal Neurostimulators
030	Spinal Procedures without CC/MCC
471	Cervical Spinal Fusion with MCC
472	Cervical Spinal Fusion with CC
473	Cervical Spinal Fusion without CC/MCC
907	Other O.R. Procedures for Injuries with MCC
908	Other O.R. Procedures for Injuries with CC
909	Other O.R. Procedures for Injuries without CC/MCC
957	Other O.R. Procedures for Multiple Significant Trauma with MCC

Showing 1–10 of 12

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient presents after a ground-level fall with acute neurological decline and imaging that demonstrates unstable atlanto-occipital dissociation with distraction at the occiput–cervical junction. Given the instability of the occipital-cervical articulation and risk to the spinal cord, an open posterior fusion of the occiput to the upper cervical spine is performed using the patient’s autologous bone graft to achieve immediate stabilization and immobilization of the joint. The procedure targets the posterior column via a posterior approach to join articular surfaces and prevent further displacement. Typical codes: 0RG0071
A middle-aged patient with progressive craniovertebral junction instability from rheumatoid arthritis and chronic neck pain is scheduled electively for surgical stabilization. To correct deformity and provide long-term immobilization of the occiput–cervical joint, an anterior open fusion is performed with implantation of an interbody fusion device placed at the anterior column to promote bony arthrodesis. The planned open anterior approach is chosen to allow appropriate placement of the device and achieve fusion of the articular surfaces. Typical codes: 0RG00A0
A patient with prior posterior occipito-cervical fusion using autograft presents with persistent nonunion and ongoing pain; imaging confirms failure of fusion requiring revision. The surgeon performs a posterior open revision fusion using a nonautologous structural bone substitute to re-establish immobilization across the occiput–cervical joint and achieve a stable arthrodesis. The operation specifically targets the posterior column via a posterior approach to rejoin the articular surfaces. Typical codes: 0RG00K1

Related Codes

0RG1-CERVICAL-VERTEBRAL-JOINT-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Vertebral Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RG2-CERVICAL-VERTEBRAL-JOINTS-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Vertebral Joints: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RG4-CERVICOTHORACIC-VERTEBRAL-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervicothoracic Vertebral Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RG6-THORACIC-VERTEBRAL-JOINT-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Vertebral Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RG7-THORACIC-VERTEBRAL-JOINTS-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Vertebral Joints, 2 To 7: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RG8-THORACIC-VERTEBRAL-JOINTS-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Vertebral Joints: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RGA-THORACOLUMBAR-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracolumbar Vertebral Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RGC-TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Temporomandibular Joint, Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RGD-LEFT-TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Temporomandibular Joint, Left: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RGE-STERNOCLAVICULAR-JOINT-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sternoclavicular Joint Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

Showing 1–10 of 27

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

33 rows

ICD-10-PCS Code	Description
0RG0070	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Autologous Tissue Substitute, Anterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG0071	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Autologous Tissue Substitute, Posterior Approach, Posterior Column, Open Approach
0RG007J	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Autologous Tissue Substitute, Posterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00A0	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Interbody Fusion Device, Anterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00AJ	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Interbody Fusion Device, Posterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00J0	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Synthetic Substitute, Anterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00J1	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Synthetic Substitute, Posterior Approach, Posterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00JJ	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Synthetic Substitute, Posterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00K0	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Nonautologous Tissue Substitute, Anterior Approach, Anterior Column, Open Approach
0RG00K1	Fusion of Occipital-cervical Joint with Nonautologous Tissue Substitute, Posterior Approach, Posterior Column, Open Approach

Showing 1–10 of 33

DRG Codes

12 rows

DRG Code	Description
028	Spinal Procedures with MCC
029	Spinal Procedures with CC or Spinal Neurostimulators
030	Spinal Procedures without CC/MCC
471	Cervical Spinal Fusion with MCC
472	Cervical Spinal Fusion with CC
473	Cervical Spinal Fusion without CC/MCC
907	Other O.R. Procedures for Injuries with MCC
908	Other O.R. Procedures for Injuries with CC
909	Other O.R. Procedures for Injuries without CC/MCC
957	Other O.R. Procedures for Multiple Significant Trauma with MCC

Showing 1–10 of 12

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient presents after a ground-level fall with acute neurological decline and imaging that demonstrates unstable atlanto-occipital dissociation with distraction at the occiput–cervical junction. Given the instability of the occipital-cervical articulation and risk to the spinal cord, an open posterior fusion of the occiput to the upper cervical spine is performed using the patient’s autologous bone graft to achieve immediate stabilization and immobilization of the joint. The procedure targets the posterior column via a posterior approach to join articular surfaces and prevent further displacement. Typical codes: 0RG0071
A middle-aged patient with progressive craniovertebral junction instability from rheumatoid arthritis and chronic neck pain is scheduled electively for surgical stabilization. To correct deformity and provide long-term immobilization of the occiput–cervical joint, an anterior open fusion is performed with implantation of an interbody fusion device placed at the anterior column to promote bony arthrodesis. The planned open anterior approach is chosen to allow appropriate placement of the device and achieve fusion of the articular surfaces. Typical codes: 0RG00A0
A patient with prior posterior occipito-cervical fusion using autograft presents with persistent nonunion and ongoing pain; imaging confirms failure of fusion requiring revision. The surgeon performs a posterior open revision fusion using a nonautologous structural bone substitute to re-establish immobilization across the occiput–cervical joint and achieve a stable arthrodesis. The operation specifically targets the posterior column via a posterior approach to rejoin the articular surfaces. Typical codes: 0RG00K1

Related Codes

0RG1-CERVICAL-VERTEBRAL-JOINT-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Vertebral Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RG2-CERVICAL-VERTEBRAL-JOINTS-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervical Vertebral Joints: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RG4-CERVICOTHORACIC-VERTEBRAL-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Cervicothoracic Vertebral Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RG6-THORACIC-VERTEBRAL-JOINT-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Vertebral Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RG7-THORACIC-VERTEBRAL-JOINTS-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Vertebral Joints, 2 To 7: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RG8-THORACIC-VERTEBRAL-JOINTS-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracic Vertebral Joints: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RGA-THORACOLUMBAR-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Thoracolumbar Vertebral Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RGC-TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Temporomandibular Joint, Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RGD-LEFT-TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Temporomandibular Joint, Left: Procedure Code Group Overview

0RGE-STERNOCLAVICULAR-JOINT-FUSION

ICD-10-PCS Code For Sternoclavicular Joint Right: Procedure Code Group Overview

Showing 1–10 of 27

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-PCS Code For Occipital-Cervical Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Occipital-Cervical Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Occipital-cervical Joint Fusion Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

ICD-10-PCS Code For Occipital-Cervical Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-PCS Code For Occipital-Cervical Joint: Procedure Code Group Overview policy alerts

Occipital-cervical Joint Fusion Procedure Overview

Code Attributes

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-PCS code group covers occipital-cervical joint fusion procedures?

What body system and operation are represented by the 0RG0 code group?

How do the codes in 0RG0 differentiate approach, device, and column?

Can you list examples of specific ICD-10-PCS codes in the 0RG0 group and what they denote?

Which DRGs are related to procedures coded in the 0RG0 group?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-PCS Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-PCS code group covers occipital-cervical joint fusion procedures?

What body system and operation are represented by the 0RG0 code group?

How do the codes in 0RG0 differentiate approach, device, and column?

Can you list examples of specific ICD-10-PCS codes in the 0RG0 group and what they denote?

Which DRGs are related to procedures coded in the 0RG0 group?

References