M48.40XG — Fatigue fracture of vertebra, site unspecified, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
Is M48.40XG billable?
Yes, but M48.40XG is an unspecified code. M48.40XG is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, M48.40XG is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting M48.40XG — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
- M48.41XGFatigue fracture of vertebra, occipito-atlanto-axial region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- M48.42XGFatigue fracture of vertebra, cervical region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- M48.43XGFatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- M48.44XGFatigue fracture of vertebra, thoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- M48.45XGFatigue fracture of vertebra, thoracolumbar region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- M48.46XGFatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- M48.47XGFatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbosacral region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- M48.48XGFatigue fracture of vertebra, sacral and sacrococcygeal region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
M48.40XG at a glance
| Code | M48.40XG |
|---|---|
| Description | Fatigue fracture of vertebra, site unspecified, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "G" | subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing |
What does the 7th character "G" mean in M48.40XG?
In M48.40XG, the 7th character G means subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing. The 7th character is required for M48.40XG to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does M48.40XG group to?
M48.40XG sits in MDC 08 and helps define the logic of 3 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 559Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with MCCmedical
- 560Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with CCmedical
- 561Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue without CC/MCCmedical
How is M48.40XG listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under M48.40, the nearest indexed parent of M48.40XG. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Fracture, traumatic › fatigue › vertebra (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from M48.4
The conditions below can never be reported together with M48.40XG on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 13
The conditions below are not part of M48.40XG, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M48.40XG and the excluded code may both be reported.
- 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)
How long has M48.40XG existed?
M48.40XG has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.