Is M49 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. M49 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does M49 sit in the tabular list?

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

What cannot be coded together with M49?

M49 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.

M49

M49 — Spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

M49 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below.

Excludes1 — never code together

These conditions cannot occur together. Billing both on the same encounter is a denial.

curvature of spine in tuberculosis [Pott's] (A18.01)
enteropathic arthropathies (M07.-)
gonococcal spondylitis (A54.41)
neuropathic [tabes dorsalis] spondylitis (A52.11)
neuropathic spondylopathy in syringomyelia (G95.0)
neuropathic spondylopathy in tabes dorsalis (A52.11)
nonsyphilitic neuropathic spondylopathy NEC (G98.0)
spondylitis in syphilis (acquired) (A52.77)
tuberculous spondylitis (A18.01)
typhoid fever spondylitis (A01.05)

Code first

The underlying condition must be sequenced before this code.

underlying disease, such as:
brucellosis (A23.-)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (G60.0)
enterobacterial infections (A01-A04)
osteitis fibrosa cystica (E21.0)

Includes

Conditions this code covers.

curvature of spine in diseases classified elsewhere
deformity of spine in diseases classified elsewhere
kyphosis in diseases classified elsewhere
scoliosis in diseases classified elsewhere
spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere

Risk adjustment

M49 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 M49

1 child code. Green means billable.

M49.8Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere

Questions about M49

Is M49 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. M49 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does M49 sit in the tabular list?: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99), in the block Spondylopathies (M45-M49).
What cannot be coded together with M49?: M49 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.