M49.81 Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, occipito-atlanto-axial region

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applies from M49 Spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere

Includes

• curvature of spine in diseases classified elsewhere
• deformity of spine in diseases classified elsewhere
• kyphosis in diseases classified elsewhere
• scoliosis in diseases classified elsewhere
• spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere

Excludes1 (never code together)

• curvature of spine in tuberculosis [Pott's] (A18.01)
• enteropathic arthropathies (M07.-)
• gonococcal spondylitis (A54.41)
• neuropathic [tabes dorsalis] spondylitis (A52.11)
• neuropathic spondylopathy in syringomyelia (G95.0)
• neuropathic spondylopathy in tabes dorsalis (A52.11)
• nonsyphilitic neuropathic spondylopathy NEC (G98.0)
• spondylitis in syphilis (acquired) (A52.77)
• tuberculous spondylitis (A18.01)
• typhoid fever spondylitis (A01.05)

Code first

• underlying disease, such as:
• brucellosis (A23.-)
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (G60.0)
• enterobacterial infections (A01-A04)
• osteitis fibrosa cystica (E21.0)

Risk adjustment (HCC)

• CMS-HCC V22: HCC 40 — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Connective Tissue Disease
• ESRD V24: HCC 40

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 551-552 in MDC 08.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 720.81 Inflammatory spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere (approximate)

Medicare Code Edits (MCE v43.1 (April 2026))

• Manifestation codes as principal diagnosis: Manifestation codes describe the manifestation of an underlying disease, not the disease itself, and are not allowed as principal diagnosis.

Diagnosis Index entries for M49.81

• Scoliosis (acquired) (postural) › rachitic (late effect or sequelae) › occipito-atlanto-axial region
• Spondylitis (chronic) › in (due to) › brucellosis › occipito-atlanto-axial region

Nearby codes

• M49 Spondylopathies in diseases classified elsewhere
• M49.8 Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere
• M49.80 Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, site unspecified
• M49.81 Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, occipito-atlanto-axial region (this code)
• M49.82 Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, cervical region
• M49.83 Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, cervicothoracic region
• M49.84 Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, thoracic region
• M49.85 Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, thoracolumbar region
• M49.86 Spondylopathy in diseases classified elsewhere, lumbar region