All ICD10 Codes
MS-DRG 520Surgical

Back and Neck Procedures Except Spinal Fusion without CC/MCC

Major Diagnostic Category 08·Grouped by procedure·FY 2027

MS-DRG 520 is a Surgical Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Group under Major Diagnostic Category 08 (MDC 08) without a significant Complication or Comorbidity. For FY 2027 it carries a relative weight of 1.5557 with a geometric mean length of stay of 2.1 days and an arithmetic mean of 2.6 days. Hospitals use this grouping to determine reimbursement for inpatient stays under Medicare.

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FY 2027 payment data

From Table 5 of the FY 2027 IPPS Final Rule (CMS).

Relative weight:
1.5557 (payment multiplier vs. the average case (1.0))
Geometric mean stay:
2.1 days (used for transfer payments)
Average stay:
2.6 days (arithmetic mean)
Post-acute transfer policy:
Yes (early transfers can be paid less)

Same condition, other severity levels

CMS splits one condition into separate DRGs by how sick the patient is. With MCC pays more than with CC, which pays more than without CC/MCC.

DRGTitleRelative weightMean stay
518Back and Neck Procedures Except Spinal Fusion with MCC or Disc Device or Neurostimulator3.73435.1 days
519Back and Neck Procedures Except Spinal Fusion with CC2.03583.2 days
520Back and Neck Procedures Except Spinal Fusion without CC/MCC (this page)1.55572.1 days

Procedure codes (381)

ICD-10-PCS procedures that can group a stay to DRG 520.