ICD-10-CM 2026 · Effective October 1, 2025

ICD-10 M46.55

Billable / Specific HCC v28: 40

Other infective spondylopathies, thoracolumbar region

M46
Block
0
Synonyms
283
LCDs
8
Payer Policies
0
Linked CPTs

About ICD-10-CM M46.55

ICD-10-CM code M46.55 represents Other infective spondylopathies, thoracolumbar region. This is a billable/specific code in the Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue chapter (block M46). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM M46.55 became effective on October 1, 2025.

Coding Tips for M46.55

Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.

HCC capture: document with MEAT each year

M46.55 is a CMS-HCC v28 risk-adjustment code (category 40). To count for the patient Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF), document the diagnosis with MEAT language each calendar year: Monitored, Evaluated, Assessed, Treated. A diagnosis on the problem list alone does not satisfy CMS RADV audit standards. Include the diagnosis in the assessment with current status and current treatment plan.

Medicare Advantage HCC Impact

CMS-HCC v28 (current)
Category 40
ESRD-HCC
Category 40
RxHCC (Part D)
Category 40

Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate risk adjustment. Missed HCC captures are the #1 revenue leak in Medicare Advantage risk programs.

Medicare LCD Coverage for M46.55

Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list M46.55 as a covered diagnosis.

283 LCDs

Showing top 10 of 283 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.

CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Lumbar MRI
Article ID: 57206, Effective: 2025-10-23 00:00:00, 3361 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT Q9953 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Lumbar MRI
Article ID: 57206, Effective: 2025-10-23 00:00:00, 3361 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 72148 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Lumbar MRI
Article ID: 57206, Effective: 2025-10-23 00:00:00, 3361 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT A9585 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Lumbar MRI
Article ID: 57206, Effective: 2025-10-23 00:00:00, 3361 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 72158 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Lumbar MRI
Article ID: 57206, Effective: 2025-10-23 00:00:00, 3361 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 72149 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Lab: Flow Cytometry
Article ID: 57689, Effective: 2025-11-06 00:00:00, 1518 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 88189 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Lab: Flow Cytometry
Article ID: 57689, Effective: 2025-11-06 00:00:00, 1518 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 86360 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Lab: Flow Cytometry
Article ID: 57689, Effective: 2025-11-06 00:00:00, 1518 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 86361 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Lab: Flow Cytometry
Article ID: 57689, Effective: 2025-11-06 00:00:00, 1518 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 88187 →
CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Lab: Flow Cytometry
Article ID: 57689, Effective: 2025-11-06 00:00:00, 1518 covered, 0 non-covered
CPT 86363 →

Commercial Payer Coverage

Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing M46.55.

8 policies

5 Medicare

Billing and Coding: Home Health Occupational Therapy
Policy ID: ART-53057
Billing and Coding: Outpatient Occupational Therapy
Policy ID: ART-53064
Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical Therapy
Policy ID: ART-53065
Billing and Coding: Lumbar Spinal Fusion
Policy ID: ART-56396
Billing and Coding: Implantable Infusion Pump
Policy ID: ART-56695

CPT Codes Commonly Billed with M46.55

Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.

No procedure linkages on file for M46.55

We don't have CPT pairings indexed for this specific code yet. Use the CPT search above to find common procedures, or check your payer's published medical policy for code-specific guidance.

Convert M46.55 to ICD-9-CM

Per CMS General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.

ICD-10ICD-9Mapping Flags
M46.55 72089 10000

Flags format (5 digits): Approximate · No Map · Combination · Scenario · Choice List. Source: CMS 2017 GEMs (final version).

ICD-10 M46.55, Billing FAQ

Is ICD-10 code M46.55 billable? +

Yes, M46.55 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can appear as a primary or secondary diagnosis on claims.

Does M46.55 affect Medicare Advantage HCC risk adjustment? +

Yes. M46.55 maps to CMS-HCC v28 category 40. Capture this diagnosis annually for accurate Medicare Advantage risk score.

What ICD-9 codes does M46.55 map to? +

Per CMS GEMs, M46.55 maps to ICD-9 codes: 72089. Useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.

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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team

Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.

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