M48.53XD — Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, cervicothoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
Is M48.53XD billable?
Yes, but M48.53XD is an unspecified code. M48.53XD is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, M48.53XD 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 M48.53XD — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
M48.53XD at a glance
| Code | M48.53XD |
|---|---|
| Description | Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified, cervicothoracic region, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "D" | subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing |
What does the 7th character "D" mean in M48.53XD?
In M48.53XD, the 7th character D means subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing. The 7th character is required for M48.53XD to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does M48.53XD group to?
M48.53XD 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 M48.53XD listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under M48.53, the nearest indexed parent of M48.53XD. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Collapse › vertebra › cervicothoracic region
- Collapse › vertebra › in › specified disease NEC › cervicothoracic region
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from M48.5
The conditions below can never be reported together with M48.53XD on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- current injury - see Injury of spine, by body region
- fatigue fracture of vertebra (M48.4)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to neoplasm (M84.58)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to other diagnosis (M84.68)
- pathological fracture of vertebra due to osteoporosis (M80.-)
- pathological fracture NOS (M84.4-)
- stress fracture of vertebra (M48.4-)
- traumatic fracture of vertebra (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 13
The conditions below are not part of M48.53XD, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M48.53XD 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 M48.53XD existed?
M48.53XD 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.