icd code for degenerative disc disease

by Prof. Brenden Ernser DVM 7 min read

Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracic region

  • 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.

Full Answer

How to cure degenerative disc disease naturally?

ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M51.36 [convert to ICD-9-CM] Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region. Degeneration of intervertebral disc of lower back; Degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc; Degenerative disc disease, lower back; Lumbar disc degeneration. ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M51.36.

How to pronounce degenerative disc disease?

Degeneration of intervertebral disc of lower back; Degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc; Degenerative disc disease, lower back; Lumbar disc degeneration. ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M51.36. Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region. 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Billable/Specific Code.

What is the cure to disk degenerative disease?

Oct 01, 2021 · Other intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracic region 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 ...

What does it mean to have degenerative disc disease?

Degeneration of intervertebral disc, site unspecified 2015 Billable Thru Sept 30/2015 Non-Billable On/After Oct 1/2015 ICD-9-CM 722.6 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 722.6 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015.

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What character is used for disc disorders?

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.

What is the code for cervical pain?

One more rule to keep in mind is that the symptoms of back or neck pain are included with some of these codes. Don’t code cervicalgia (M54.2) along with cervical disc disorders (M50-), and don’t code low back pain (M54.5) along with lumbar disc displacement (M51.2-).

What is the T12-L1 code?

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.

Can a spinal disc be coded?

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.

Is sciatica a code for lumbar radiculopathy?

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.

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