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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

M48.5Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified

Not billable — use a more specific codeRequires 7th character

M48.5 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 9 more specific codes beneath it and add the required 7th character.

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 M48.5

M48.5 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified. It belongs to category M48 (other spondylopathies), block M45-M49 (spondylopathies) 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 9 subcodes must be used instead.

Within M48 (other spondylopathies), M48.5 is specifically for Collapsed vertebra, not elsewhere classified. Related codes cover spinal stenosis (M48.0), ankylosing hyperostosis [Forestier] (M48.1), Kissing spine (M48.2), traumatic spondylopathy (M48.3), fatigue fracture of vertebra (M48.4), other specified spondylopathies (M48.8) and spondylopathy, unspecified (M48.9).

Codes in this range require a 7th character: A for initial encounter for fracture, D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing, G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing and S for sequela of fracture. Use placeholder "X" characters to fill any empty positions before the 7th character.

Don't report M48.5 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: current injury - see Injury of spine, by body region, fatigue fracture of vertebra (M48.4), pathological fracture of vertebra due to neoplasm (M84.58), pathological fracture of vertebra due to other diagnosis (M84.68) and 4 more.

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

7th character

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from subcategory M48.5:

  • Ainitial encounter for fracture
  • Dsubsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
  • Gsubsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
  • Ssequela of fracture

Coding notes

Applicable toConditions and synonyms classified to this code
  • Collapsed vertebra NOS
  • Compression fracture of vertebra NOS
  • Wedging of vertebra NOS
Excludes1Not coded here — never report together with this code
  • current injury - see Injury of spine, by body region
  • fatigue fracture of vertebra (M48.4)
  • pathological fracture of vertebra due to neoplasm (M84.58)
  • pathological fracture of vertebra due to other diagnosis (M84.68)
  • pathological fracture of vertebra due to osteoporosis (M80.-)
  • pathological fracture NOS (M84.4-)
  • stress fracture of vertebra (M48.4-)
  • traumatic fracture of vertebra (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-)

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to M48.5.

Codes whose notes reference M48.5

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 M48.5

Is M48.5 billable?

No. M48.5 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.