Is M48 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. M48 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does M48 sit in the tabular list?

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99), in the block Spondylopathies (M45-M49).

M48

M48 — Other spondylopathies

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

M48 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for other spondylopathies. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below.

Other codes that can never be billed with M48

These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at M48. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading M48 alone.

M48.5Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified
M80Osteoporosis with current pathological fracture
M84.4Pathological fracture, not elsewhere classified
M85.8Other specified disorders of bone density and structure
G55Nerve root and plexus compressions in diseases classified elsewhere

Risk adjustment

M48 does not map to an HCC and does not risk-adjust under CMS-HCC V28. That is normal — most ICD-10 codes do not. It still needs to be coded correctly; it just will not move a RAF score.

Code to one of these instead M48

8 child codes. Green means billable.

Questions about M48

Is M48 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. M48 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does M48 sit in the tabular list?: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99), in the block Spondylopathies (M45-M49).