Is ICD-10-CM code M42 billable?

No, M42 (Spinal osteochondrosis) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code. It must be coded to a more specific subcategory before it can be used for reimbursement.

What chapter does ICD-10-CM code M42 belong to?

M42 belongs to Chapter 13 of the ICD-10-CM tabular list: M00–M99 (Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue).

M42

Non-Billable

ChapterM00–M99

Rankcategory

Description

Spinal osteochondrosis

About ICD-10-CM code M42

The ICD-10-CM tabular list places Spinal osteochondrosis at code M42, inside M00-M99 Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue, within Deforming dorsopathies (M40-M43). You should not submit this code on claims since it lacks billing specificity, use a child code.

Use a more specific code (1 billable, 2 non-billable)

M42.0Juvenile osteochondrosis of spinehas subcodes M42.1Adult osteochondrosis of spinehas subcodes M42.9Spinal osteochondrosis, unspecified

Metadata & Insights

•Non-billable category (requires more specific sub-code).
•Chapter 13: Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99).

CH13 Parent Instructions

Excludes2(Not included here. Code separately if applicable.)

arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
neoplasms (C00-D49)
symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Clinical Hierarchy

BillableHas subcodes

CH13Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)

M40-M43Deforming dorsopathies (M40-M43)

M42Spinal osteochondrosisNot billable

M42.0Juvenile osteochondrosis of spineSubcodes

M42.1Adult osteochondrosis of spineSubcodes

M42.9Spinal osteochondrosis, unspecifiedBillable

Applicable Ancestor Context

The following parent sections contain instructions or notes that apply to M42:

chapterCH13

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99)

View context instructions

MS-DRG Classification

2026

No direct MS-DRG triggers identified.

Cross Reference

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