ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

M42.1Adult osteochondrosis of spine

Not billable — use a more specific code

M42.1 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 10 more specific codes beneath it.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About M42.1

M42.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for adult osteochondrosis of spine. It belongs to category M42 (spinal osteochondrosis), block M40-M43 (deforming dorsopathies) and chapter 13 (diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 10 subcodes must be used instead.

Within M42 (spinal osteochondrosis), M42.1 is specifically for adult osteochondrosis of spine. Related codes cover juvenile osteochondrosis of spine (M42.0) and unspecified (M42.9).

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: M42.10 (site unspecified), M42.11 (occipito-atlanto-axial region), M42.12 (cervical region), M42.13 (cervicothoracic region), M42.14 (thoracic region), M42.15 (thoracolumbar region), M42.16 (lumbar region), M42.17 (lumbosacral region) and 2 more.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Specific codes under M42.1

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to M42.1.

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.

Code history

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027

FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about M42.1

Is M42.1 billable?: No. M42.1 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.