ICD-10 M50.03
Billable / Specific CCCervical disc disorder with myelopathy, cervicothoracic region
About ICD-10-CM M50.03
ICD-10-CM code M50.03 represents Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, cervicothoracic region. This is a billable/specific code in the Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue chapter (block M50). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM M50.03 became effective on October 1, 2025.
Coding Tips for M50.03
Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.
M50.03 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 M50.03. Per CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular 2026.
- C7-T1 disc disorder with myelopathy
Inpatient DRG Impact, CC
codes Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, cervicothoracic region. As a Complication/Comorbidity (CC), this contributes to DRG severity adjustment when documented alongside the principal diagnosis.
Medicare LCD Coverage for M50.03
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list M50.03 as a covered diagnosis.
Showing top 10 of 579 total . Click a CPT for full coverage scope.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing M50.03.
1 Aetna
3 Cigna
5 Medicare
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with M50.03
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
Convert M50.03 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 |
|---|---|---|
| M50.03 | 72271 | 10000 |
Flags format (5 digits): Approximate · No Map · Combination · Scenario · Choice List. Source: CMS 2017 GEMs (final version).
Codes Adjacent To M50.03
Other codes in section M50-M54 (Other dorsopathies).
ICD-10 M50.03, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code M50.03 billable? +
Yes, M50.03 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 M50.03? +
ICD-10 M50.03 includes: C7-T1 disc disorder with myelopathy.
Is M50.03 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 M50.03? +
Procedures frequently paired with M50.03 include: 22802, 22812, 22800, 22808, 22810.
What ICD-9 codes does M50.03 map to? +
Per CMS GEMs, M50.03 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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