FY2027
MenuClose
Excludes1 pair

M51- vs M54.1-

M51 and M54.1 are not coded together. ICD-10-CM declares them mutually exclusive with an Excludes1 note — the two conditions are not expected to occur together, so exactly one of them is normally correct for a given encounter. The Official Guidelines carve out one exception: if the two conditions are clearly unrelated to each other, both may be reported.

The official note, declared on M54.1
radiculopathy with lumbar and other intervertebral disc disorder (M51.1-)
M51

Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders

Not billable
Chapter 13
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Section
M50-M54
M54.1

Radiculopathy

Not billable
Chapter 13
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Section
M50-M54
Use when the record says
  • Brachial neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Lumbar neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Lumbosacral neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Thoracic neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Radiculitis NOS
Indexed under
  • Radiculopathy › leg

Excludes1 is not always absolute: where two conditions covered by the note are genuinely unrelated, CMS guidance permits reporting both. Document the reasoning rather than assuming it. More on Excludes1 vs Excludes2 · FY2027