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    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther dorsopathiesICD-10-CM m50-cervical-disc-disorders
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Cervical Disc Disorders: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group M50 includes degenerative and herniated cervical intervertebral disc conditions, such as cervical disc displacement, degeneration, and associated radiculopathy or myelopathy. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical presentations ranging from neck pain to neurologic deficits caused by cervical disc pathology, capturing disease severity and neural involvement. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM M50 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM M50: Cervical Disc Disorders Overview

    The ICD-10-CM M50 group includes disorders of the intervertebral cervical discs, such as cervical disc degeneration, herniation, and displacement affecting the cervical spine. These conditions target the musculoskeletal and nervous systems by causing neck pain, radiculopathy, or myelopathy related to disc pathology. Accurate coding matters for reimbursement because precise codes reflect clinical complexity, guide claim adjudication, and support appropriate payment.

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    When to Use

    Use codes from this group when a clinician documents a cervical disc disorder as the primary diagnosis, including symptomatic presentations such as neck pain, radicular pain, or spinal cord compression related to disc pathology. Select codes that reflect the documented disc level, laterality, and whether radiculopathy or myelopathy is present to accurately represent clinical severity.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    42 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M50.00Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical region
    M50.01Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, high cervical region
    M50.020Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region, unspecified level
    M50.021Cervical disc disorder at C4-C5 level with myelopathy
    M50.022Cervical disc disorder at C5-C6 level with myelopathy
    M50.023Cervical disc disorder at C6-C7 level with myelopathy
    M50.03Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, cervicothoracic region
    M50.10Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, unspecified cervical region
    M50.11Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, high cervical region
    M50.120Mid-cervical disc disorder, unspecified level
    M50.121Cervical disc disorder at C4-C5 level with radiculopathy
    M50.122Cervical disc disorder at C5-C6 level with radiculopathy
    M50.123Cervical disc disorder at C6-C7 level with radiculopathy
    M50.13Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
    M50.20Other cervical disc displacement, unspecified cervical region
    M50.21Other cervical disc displacement, high cervical region
    M50.220Other cervical disc displacement, mid-cervical region, unspecified level
    M50.221Other cervical disc displacement at C4-C5 level
    M50.222Other cervical disc displacement at C5-C6 level
    M50.223Other cervical disc displacement at C6-C7 level

    Showing 1–20 of 42

    DRG Codes

    2 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    551Medical Back Problems with MCC
    552Medical Back Problems without MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A 42-year-old office worker presents to urgent care with sudden-onset severe neck pain radiating down the right arm after lifting a heavy object. Neurologic exam shows decreased right biceps reflex and paresthesia in the C5 dermatome; cervical MRI demonstrates a herniated C5–C6 disc compressing the right C6 nerve root. A diagnosis from this group is assigned for an acute cervical disc disorder with right-sided radiculopathy. Typical codes: M50.12, M50.121.
    • A 65-year-old patient with a multi-year history of neck pain and intermittent bilateral hand numbness seeks primary care for worsening chronic symptoms and reduced neck mobility. Imaging shows multilevel degenerative cervical disc disease without acute nerve root compression; symptoms are managed conservatively with medication and physical therapy. A chronic cervical disc disorder code from this group is used to document the ongoing degenerative condition. Typical codes: M50.30, M50.31.
    • A 55-year-old post-operative patient is seen in clinic for new-onset left upper extremity weakness and persistent radicular pain three weeks after cervical discectomy and fusion; MRI suggests recurrent disc protrusion at the operative level causing left-sided nerve root compromise. A code from this group is assigned to capture the complication of recurrent or persistent cervical disc pathology with left radiculopathy. Typical codes: M50.22, M50.221.

    Related Codes

    M51-THORACIC-THORACOLUMBAR-LUMBOSACRAL-DISC-DISORDERS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Thoracic Thoracolumbar And Lumbosacral Intervertebral Disc Disorders: Group Overview

    M53-OTHER-AND-UNSPECIFIED-DORSOPATHIES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other And Unspecified Dorsopathies Not Elsewhere Classified: Group Overview

    M54-DORSALGIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Dorsalgia: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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.
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