M50.121
BillableCervical disc disorder at C4-C5 level with radiculopathy
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026) | CMS-HCC V28 (100% phase-in, PY2026)
Is M50.121 an HCC code?
No. M50.121 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.
This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).
What This Code Means
M50.121 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cervical disc disorder at c4-c5 level with radiculopathy. A herniated or damaged disc between the 4th and 5th neck vertebrae that is pressing on a nerve root, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm. M50.121 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (m00-m99), within the section covering other dorsopathies (m50-m54).
M50.121 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions but it does not contribute to a beneficiary's RAF score and therefore does not affect risk-adjusted payments to the plan.
Requires documentation of both C4-C5 level AND radiculopathy (nerve root compression).
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for M50.121 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Requires documentation of both C4-C5 level AND radiculopathy (nerve root compression)
- •Radiculopathy at this level typically affects the C5 nerve root with symptoms in the shoulder and upper arm