Low back pain Non-Billable Code M54.5 is a non-billable ICD-10 code for Low back pain. It should not be used for HIPAA-covered transactions as a more specific code is available to choose from below.
ICD-10-CM CATEGORY CODE RANGE SPECIFIC CONDITION ICD-10 CODE Diseases of the Circulatory System I00 –I99 Essential hypertension I10 Unspecified atrial fibrillation I48.91 Diseases of the Respiratory System J00 –J99 Acute pharyngitis, NOS J02.9 Acute upper respiratory infection J06._ Acute bronchitis, *,unspecified J20.9 Vasomotor rhinitis J30.0
The new codes are for describing the infusion of tixagevimab and cilgavimab monoclonal antibody (code XW023X7), and the infusion of other new technology monoclonal antibody (code XW023Y7).
What is the diagnosis code for mediastinal mass? Malignant neoplasm of mediastinum, part unspecified C38. 3 is a billable/specific ICD -10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
The current code, M54. 5 (Low back pain), will be expanded into three more specific codes: M54. 50 (Low back pain, unspecified)
M54. 50 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M54.
ICD-Code M54. 2 is a billable ICD-10 code used for healthcare diagnosis reimbursement of Cervicalgia.
5 - Low back pain is a sample topic from the ICD-10-CM. To view other topics, please log in or purchase a subscription. ICD-10-CM 2022 Coding Guide™ from Unbound Medicine.
M54. 5 should not be used for reimbursement purposes as there are multiple codes below it that contain a greater level of detail. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M54. 5 became effective on October 1, 2021.
1, the International Classification of Diseases code for low back pain — M54. 5 — will no longer exist in the ICD-10 listings. The more general code is being replaced by a series of codes related to LBP aimed at providing greater specificity around diagnosis.
5 – Low Back Pain. ICD-Code M54. 5 is a billable ICD-10 code used for healthcare diagnosis reimbursement of chronic low back pain.
909 – Migraine, Unspecified, not Intractable, without Status Migrainosus.
9: Dorsalgia, unspecified.
M54. 9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M54.
ICD-10 code M51. 36 for Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Dorsopathies .
16.
This August, CMS published its latest round of ICD-10 changes—including the deletion of ICD-10 code M54.5, low back pain, effective October 1, 2021.
It appears that both BCBS and Anthem have adopted the new low-back coding changes early. In other words, M54.5 isn't set to expire before October 1, but it seems these two payers have already adopted this change. This is highly unusual as commercial payers are usually slow to adopt ICD-10 and NCCI edit changes.
So, here’s the real question: How the heck can CMS justify deleting such a commonly used code? Well, CMS has explained that it’s deleting M54.5 because it lacks specificity (and we all know how important coding specificity is to ICD-10). To supplement this low back coding deletion, CMS suggested that providers use other, more specific codes—some which you may recognize, and some of which are totally new. Here are some potential code replacements that you can use beginning October 1:
The 2022 changes to the ICD-10 code list takes effect this coming October 1, 2021. This year, an important change is made for one of the most common diagnosis codes for chiropractors. M54.5 – Low back pain is removed form the ICD-10 code list and replaced with codes that are more specific:
New Code: M54.50 Low back pain, unspecified. This includes Loin pain and Lumbago NOS.
Therefore, for dates of service October 1, 2021 if you are currently using M54.5 for a patient, you must on our online billing form under the New Diagnosis Codes box indicate the new M54.5 code to use.
You do not have to list all other diagnosis codes for the patient unless all other diagnosis codes have changed for the patient since the last visit.
Low back pain (M54.5) is a broad and non-specific diagnosis. You would never report to a patient in the report of findings that you have determined they have low back pain. It does not tell us why they have low back pain. The codes are also used for tracking purposes, reimbursement policies, and evidence-based practice guidelines. Therefore, beginning October 1, 2021, the low back pain or lumbago code of M54.5 has been deleted and replaced with three other codes.
Codes for an “unspecified” side should rarely be used, such as when the documentation in the record is insufficient to determine the affected side, and it is impossible to obtain clarification. Any unspecified code is deemed a red flag in coding. Be specific.
Low back pain (M54.5) is a broad and non-specific diagnosis. You would never report to a patient in the report of findings that you have determined they have low back pain. It does not tell us why they have low back pain. The codes are also used for tracking purposes, reimbursement policies, and evidence-based practice guidelines. Therefore, beginning October 1, 2021, the low back pain or lumbago code of M54.5 has been deleted and replaced with three other codes.
Codes for an “unspecified” side should rarely be used, such as when the documentation in the record is insufficient to determine the affected side, and it is impossible to obtain clarification. Any unspecified code is deemed a red flag in coding. Be specific.