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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

M43.8X5Other specified deforming dorsopathies, thoracolumbar region

✓ Billable / specific

M43.8X5 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for other specified deforming dorsopathies, thoracolumbar region. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.

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 M43.8X5

M43.8X5 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other specified deforming dorsopathies, thoracolumbar region. It belongs to category M43 (other deforming dorsopathies), block M40-M43 (deforming dorsopathies) and chapter 13 (diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within M43.8X (other specified deforming dorsopathies), M43.8X5 is specifically for other specified deforming dorsopathies, thoracolumbar region. Related codes cover occipito-atlanto-axial region (M43.8X1), cervical region (M43.8X2), cervicothoracic region (M43.8X3), thoracic region (M43.8X4), lumbar region (M43.8X6), lumbosacral region (M43.8X7), sacral and sacrococcygeal region (M43.8X8) and site unspecified (M43.8X9).

It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 456 (Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with Spinal Curvature, Malignancy, or Infection with MCC, relative weight 7.6244), DRG 457 (Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with Spinal Curvature, Malignancy, or Infection with CC, relative weight 5.3668), DRG 458 (Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with Spinal Curvature, Malignancy, or Infection without CC/MCC, relative weight 4.0388), DRG 551 (Medical Back Problems with MCC, relative weight 1.6358) and DRG 552 (Medical Back Problems without MCC, relative weight 0.9584), in MDC 08 (Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

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

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 737.8 (other curvatures of spine) and 737.9 (unspecified curvature of spine).

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to M43.8X5.

› From M43.8 Other specified deforming dorsopathies
Excludes2
  • kyphosis and lordosis (M40.-)
  • scoliosis (M41.-)
› From M43 Other deforming dorsopathies
Excludes1
  • congenital spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis (Q76.2)
  • hemivertebra (Q76.3-Q76.4)
  • Klippel-Feil syndrome (Q76.1)
  • lumbarization and sacralization (Q76.4)
  • platyspondylisis (Q76.4)
  • spina bifida occulta (Q76.0)
  • spinal curvature in osteoporosis (M80.-)
  • spinal curvature in Paget's disease of bone [osteitis deformans] (M88.-)

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

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

MDC 08 · Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 737.8Other curvatures of spineapproximate
  • 737.9Unspecified curvature of spineapproximate

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about M43.8X5

Is M43.8X5 billable?

Yes. M43.8X5 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can M43.8X5 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict M43.8X5 as a principal diagnosis.

Is M43.8X5 a CC or MCC?

No. M43.8X5 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does M43.8X5 group to?

M43.8X5 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 456 (Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with Spinal Curvature, Malignancy, or Infection with MCC), MS-DRG 457 (Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with Spinal Curvature, Malignancy, or Infection with CC), MS-DRG 458 (Spinal Fusion Except Cervical with Spinal Curvature, Malignancy, or Infection without CC/MCC), MS-DRG 551 (Medical Back Problems with MCC) and MS-DRG 552 (Medical Back Problems without MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for M43.8X5?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map M43.8X5 to ICD-9-CM 737.8 and 737.9.