M48.5 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified
ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Spondylopathies
ICD-10-CM code
M48.5
- Code
M48.5(claims format:M485)- Description
- Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified
- Billable
- No – use a more specific code below
- Valid for
- Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
- Chapter
- 13. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)
- Block
- M45-M49 Spondylopathies
- Parent codes
- M48
Billable codes under M48.5
M48.5 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:
- M48.50 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, site unspecifiedHeader (more codes below)
- M48.51 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, occipito-atlanto-axial regionHeader (more codes below)
- M48.52 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, cervical regionHeader (more codes below)
- M48.53 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, cervicothoracic regionHeader (more codes below)
- M48.54 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, thoracic regionHeader (more codes below)
- M48.55 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, thoracolumbar regionHeader (more codes below)
- M48.56 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, lumbar regionHeader (more codes below)
- M48.57 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, lumbosacral regionHeader (more codes below)
- M48.58 – Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, sacral and sacrococcygeal regionHeader (more codes below)
7th character values
Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care (use placeholder X for empty positions).
| Character | Meaning |
|---|---|
A | initial encounter for fracture |
D | subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing |
G | subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing |
S | sequela of fracture |
Notes for M48.5
Applicable to:
- Collapsed vertebra NOS
- Compression fracture of vertebra NOS
- Wedging of vertebra NOS
Excludes1 (not coded here):
- current injury - see Injury of spine, by body region
- fatigue fracture of vertebra (M48.4)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to neoplasm (M84.58)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to other diagnosis (M84.68)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to osteoporosis (M80.-)
- pathological fracture NOS (M84.4-)
- stress fracture of vertebra (M48.4-)
- traumatic fracture of vertebra (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-)
7th character note:
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from subcategory M48.5:
Related codes in M48
Frequently asked questions
What is ICD-10 code M48.5?
M48.5 is the ICD-10-CM code for collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, in the block M45-M49 (Spondylopathies).
Is M48.5 a billable code?
No. M48.5 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.
What category does M48.5 belong to?
It belongs to category M48 – Other spondylopathies.
Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.