M48.40XS — Fatigue fracture of vertebra, site unspecified, sequela of fracture
Is M48.40XS billable?
Yes, but M48.40XS is an unspecified code. M48.40XS is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, M48.40XS 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 M48.40XS — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
- M48.41XSFatigue fracture of vertebra, occipito-atlanto-axial region, sequela of fracture
- M48.42XSFatigue fracture of vertebra, cervical region, sequela of fracture
- M48.43XSFatigue fracture of vertebra, cervicothoracic region, sequela of fracture
- M48.44XSFatigue fracture of vertebra, thoracic region, sequela of fracture
- M48.45XSFatigue fracture of vertebra, thoracolumbar region, sequela of fracture
- M48.46XSFatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbar region, sequela of fracture
- M48.47XSFatigue fracture of vertebra, lumbosacral region, sequela of fracture
- M48.48XSFatigue fracture of vertebra, sacral and sacrococcygeal region, sequela of fracture
M48.40XS at a glance
| Code | M48.40XS |
|---|---|
| Description | Fatigue fracture of vertebra, site unspecified, sequela of fracture |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "S" | sequela of fracture |
What does the 7th character "S" mean in M48.40XS?
In M48.40XS, the 7th character S means sequela of fracture. The 7th character is required for M48.40XS to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does M48.40XS group to?
M48.40XS sits in MDC 08 and helps define the logic of 2 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 551Medical Back Problems with MCCmedical
- 552Medical Back Problems without MCCmedical
How is M48.40XS listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under M48.40, the nearest indexed parent of M48.40XS. 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 M48.40XS 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 M48.40XS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M48.40XS 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 M48.40XS existed?
M48.40XS 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.