ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for Discitis
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Discitis, diskitis”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding Discitis
The ICD-10-CM code for Discitis is M46.40 (Discitis, unspecified, site unspecified). The official index lists 9 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on M46.40.
Within M46.4, choose M46.40 (site unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: occipito-atlanto-axial region (M46.41), cervical region (M46.42), cervicothoracic region (M46.43), thoracic region (M46.44), thoracolumbar region (M46.45), lumbar region (M46.46), lumbosacral region (M46.47), sacral and sacrococcygeal region (M46.48) and 1 more.
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 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.
More specific Discitis codes (official index)
- cervical region M46.42 — Discitis, unspecified, cervical region
- cervicothoracic region M46.43 — Discitis, unspecified, cervicothoracic region
- lumbar region M46.46 — Discitis, unspecified, lumbar region
- lumbosacral region M46.47 — Discitis, unspecified, lumbosacral region
- multiple sites M46.49 — Discitis, unspecified, multiple sites in spine
- occipito-atlanto-axial region M46.41 — Discitis, unspecified, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- pyogenic
- sacrococcygeal region M46.48 — Discitis, unspecified, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
- thoracic region M46.44 — Discitis, unspecified, thoracic region
- thoracolumbar region M46.45 — Discitis, unspecified, thoracolumbar region
Common questions about Discitis ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for Discitis?
- M46.40 — Discitis, unspecified, site unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: M46.42, M46.43, M46.46, M46.47 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for cervical region discitis?
- M46.42 — Discitis, unspecified, cervical region.
What is the ICD-10 code for cervicothoracic region discitis?
- M46.43 — Discitis, unspecified, cervicothoracic region.
What is the ICD-10 code for lumbar region discitis?
- M46.46 — Discitis, unspecified, lumbar region.
What is the ICD-10 code for lumbosacral region discitis?
- M46.47 — Discitis, unspecified, lumbosacral region.
What is the ICD-10 code for multiple sites discitis?
- M46.49 — Discitis, unspecified, multiple sites in spine.
What is the ICD-10 code for occipito-atlanto-axial region discitis?
- M46.41 — Discitis, unspecified, occipito-atlanto-axial region.
Is M46.40 billable?
- Yes. M46.40 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can M46.40 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict M46.40 as a principal diagnosis.
Is M46.40 a CC or MCC?
- No. M46.40 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.