ICD-10 M50.021
Billable / Specific CCCervical disc disorder at C4-C5 level with myelopathy
About ICD-10-CM M50.021
ICD-10-CM code M50.021 represents Cervical disc disorder at C4-C5 level with myelopathy. This is a billable/specific code in the Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue chapter (block M50). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM M50.021 became effective on October 1, 2025.
Coding Tips for M50.021
Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.
M50.021 is designated CC for MS-DRG grouping. On inpatient claims, this code can shift the DRG to the with-CC variant when documented as a present-on-admission secondary diagnosis. Hospital CDI programs flag CC opportunities during chart review. Failure to capture this code may leave 30 to 80 percent of the inpatient stay revenue unrealized.
Inclusion Terms / Approximate Synonyms
Clinical terms and conditions classified under M50.021. Per CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular 2026.
- C4-C5 disc disorder with myelopathy
Inpatient DRG Impact, CC
codes Cervical disc disorder at C4-C5 level with myelopathy. As a Complication/Comorbidity (CC), this contributes to DRG severity adjustment when documented alongside the principal diagnosis.
Medicare LCD Coverage for M50.021
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list M50.021 as a covered diagnosis.
Showing top 10 of 697 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing M50.021.
3 Cigna
5 Medicare
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with M50.021
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
- 22600 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion CMS LCD
- 22548 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion CMS LCD
- 22590 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion CMS LCD
- 22551 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion CMS LCD
- 22595 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion CMS LCD
- 22554 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion CMS LCD
- 22552 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion CMS LCD
- 22861 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Cervical Disc Replacement CMS LCD
- 97171 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Cervical Disc Replacement CMS LCD
- 97154 CMS LCD: Billing and Coding: Cervical Disc Replacement CMS LCD
Convert M50.021 to ICD-9-CM
Per CMS General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), useful for legacy data review and historical claim analysis.
| ICD-10 | ICD-9 | Mapping Flags |
|---|---|---|
| M50.021 | 72271 | 10000 |
Flags format (5 digits): Approximate · No Map · Combination · Scenario · Choice List. Source: CMS 2017 GEMs (final version).
Codes Adjacent To M50.021
Other codes in section M50-M54 (Other dorsopathies).
ICD-10 M50.021, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code M50.021 billable? +
Yes, M50.021 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can appear as a primary or secondary diagnosis on claims.
What other names or terms map to M50.021? +
ICD-10 M50.021 includes: C4-C5 disc disorder with myelopathy.
Is M50.021 a CC or MCC for inpatient DRG? +
Yes, this code is designated as CC. Documenting as a secondary diagnosis on inpatient claims can shift the DRG to a higher-weighted category.
What CPT codes are commonly billed with M50.021? +
Procedures frequently paired with M50.021 include: 22600, 22548, 22590, 22551, 22595.
What ICD-9 codes does M50.021 map to? +
Per CMS GEMs, M50.021 maps to ICD-9 codes: 72271. 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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