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Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of M51.36 - other international versions of ICD-10 M51.36 may differ.
M51.34 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 M51.34 became effective on October 1, 2021. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of M51.34 - other international versions of ICD-10 M51.34 may differ. cervical and cervicothoracic disc disorders ( M50.-)
Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region. M51.36 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracic region. 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Billable/Specific Code. M51.34 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2020 edition of ICD-10-CM M51.34 became effective on October 1, 2019.
ICD-10 code M51. 36 for Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Dorsopathies .
M51. 36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
M51. 37 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbosacral region - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
M25. 571 Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
M51. 26 Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
9: Dorsalgia, unspecified.
The ICD10 code for the diagnosis "Spinal stenosis, lumbar region" is "M48. 06". M48. 06 is NOT a 'valid' or 'billable' ICD10 code.
Lumbar disc degeneration is defined as the wear and tear of lumbar intervertebral disc, and it is mainly occurring at L3-L4 and L4-S1 vertebrae. Lumbar disc degeneration may lead to disc bulging, osteophytes, loss of disc space, and compression and irritation of the adjacent nerve root.
NOTE: To utilize these chronic pain diagnosis codes, the exact nature of pain should be specifically documented in the patient medical records; such as “chronic” to utilize ICD-10 code G. 89.29 or the diagnosis term “chronic pain syndrome” to utilize ICD-10 code G89. 4.
ICD-10 code M79. 67 for Pain in foot and toes is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Soft tissue disorders .
R26. 2, Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified, or R26. 89, Other abnormalities of gait and mobility.
M79. 671 Pain in right foot - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
M25. 512 Pain in left shoulder - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
M25. 562 Pain in left knee - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
ICD-10 code M79. 661 for Pain in right lower leg is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Soft tissue disorders .
641 Pain in right hand.
Only use the fourth character “9” for unspecified disc disorders if the documentation does not indicate anything more than the presence of a disc problem. But beware, payors are expected to ask for clarification if unspecified or “NOS” codes are used.
9 = unspecified disc disorder. The fifth character provides detail about the anatomical location within the spinal region. A basic knowledge of spinal anatomy should make fifth-character selection easy, but only if it is documented properly. This includes transitionary regions.
Though it is not specifically mentioned, “thoracolumbar” likely only includes T12-L1, and “lumbosacral” probably only refers to the L5-S1 interspace. There is a strange rule for cervical disc disorders indicating that you should code to the most superior level of the disorder.
These spinal disc codes appear to be a bit complex, but with some study and evaluation, the logic used to create them becomes clear. The provider can use the codes to guide proper documentation and the coder then can select the right codes with confidence.
It is already included in the code. Likewise, don’t code sciatica (M54.3-) if you code for lumbar disc with radiculopathy. It would be redundant. On a side note, lumbar radiculopathy (M54.16) might be used if pain is not yet known to be due a disc, but it radiates from the lumbar spine.
M50.2- and M51.2- are the subcategories for “other disc displacement,” and this phrase has led to some confusion. “Displacement” is a very general term that does not distinguish between disc bulges or prolapses. However, it is notable that it does not mention nervous system involvement. Furthermore, when the ICD-10-CM code set uses the word “other,” it is essentially identifying what the condition isn’t, rather than what it is. It implies that the other codes in the category are for disc displacements as well, but this one does not fit those other descriptions. Therefore, this code might be applicable if a provider is certain, as confirmed on imaging studies, that a disc is displaced – but there is not any neurological involvement, such as with the myelopathy and radiculopathy codes.
Since degeneration involves a change in the appearance of the bone around the disc, it can often be visualized on an X-ray. As such, an X-ray report would commonly be found in the documentation when this diagnosis is used.