Pain Management Coding Alert

Published on Tue Dec 29, 2015 PDF

Question: Our physician documented cervical spondylosis affecting the C2-3 and C3-4 joints. Is the correct diagnosis M47.891 or M47.892?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: ICD-10 diagnosis codes M47.892 (Other spondylosis, cervical region) and M47.891 (Other spondylosis, occipito-atlanto-axial region) are appropriate starting points for the C0-C1 and C1-C2 spinal levels. However, check the notes for documentation of whether the patient has spondylosis with radiculopathy of the cervical region or has no myelopathy or radiculopathy. A more specific diagnosis might be either M47.812 (Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, cervical region) or M47.22 (Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervical region), depending on the answer to those questions.