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M48.00 ICD-10-CM Code: Spinal stenosis, site unspecified

M48.00 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC Buddy coding tools

ICD-10-CM Code View

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FY 2026 Apr update / Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99) / Spondylopathies (M45-M49)

M48.00

Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidance

Spinal stenosis, site unspecified

Narrowing of the spinal canal (the space where the spinal cord runs) at an unspecified location in the spine.

CMS-HCC V28

N/A

Not mapped

CMS-HCC V24

N/A

Not mapped

ACA/HHS

N/A

Not mapped

ESRD/PACE

N/A

Not mapped

RXHCC

N/A

Not mapped

Code Book Path

Official
M48Other spondylopathies
M48.0Spinal stenosis
M48.00Spinal stenosis, site unspecified

Inclusion Terms

Official
  • Caudal stenosis

Excludes 2

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for M48.00 in this effective period.

Related Child Codes

Official
M48.01Spinal stenosis, occipito-atlanto-axial region
M48.02Spinal stenosis, cervical region
M48.03Spinal stenosis, cervicothoracic region
M48.04Spinal stenosis, thoracic region
M48.05Spinal stenosis, thoracolumbar region

Includes

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for M48.00 in this effective period.

Excludes 1

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for M48.00 in this effective period.

Code First

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for M48.00 in this effective period.

Use Additional

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for M48.00 in this effective period.

Code Also

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for M48.00 in this effective period.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance
This is a non-specific code; always attempt to identify the anatomical region (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, etc.) for more precise coding
Spinal stenosis may present with pain, numbness, or weakness depending on severity and location

Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →

Is M48.00 an HCC code?

No. M48.00 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.

Code
M48.00
Description
Spinal stenosis, site unspecified
HCC (V28)
No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
RAF reference coefficient
Billable
Yes
Payment year
2026

Coder workflow notes

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This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).

What This Code Means

M48.00 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for spinal stenosis, site unspecified. Narrowing of the spinal canal (the space where the spinal cord runs) at an unspecified location in the spine. M48.00 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (m00-m99), within the section covering spondylopathies (m45-m49).

M48.00 is a billable ICD-10-CM code, but the current payload does not show a mapping under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC models. Do not assign risk adjustment value from this page when no source-backed mapping is shown; verify the applicable model and payment year.

This is a non-specific code; always attempt to identify the anatomical region (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, etc.) for more precise coding.

HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for M48.00 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

  • This is a non-specific code; always attempt to identify the anatomical region (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, etc.) for more precise coding
  • Spinal stenosis may present with pain, numbness, or weakness depending on severity and location

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

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