M46.4
Header — not billableDiscitis, unspecified
The ICD-10 code for discitis, unspecified is M46.4.
M46.4 is a non-billable header code. It groups related conditions but cannot be used on its own for reimbursement — select one of the 10 more specific codes below.
Documentation support
General coding-documentation guidance — not a substitute for payer-specific requirements or professional coding judgment.
- •This is a non-billable header code. Documentation must support a more specific child code before this diagnosis can be reported on a claim.
- •This code describes an unspecified presentation. If the medical record documents a more specific detail (e.g. laterality, type, or affected site), a more specific sibling code should be used instead — see Related codes below.
- •As a general rule, code to the highest level of specificity supported by the documentation in the medical record.
Child codes under M46.4
- M46.40Discitis, unspecified, site unspecified
- M46.41Discitis, unspecified, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- M46.42Discitis, unspecified, cervical region
- M46.43Discitis, unspecified, cervicothoracic region
- M46.44Discitis, unspecified, thoracic region
- M46.45Discitis, unspecified, thoracolumbar region
- M46.46Discitis, unspecified, lumbar region
- M46.47Discitis, unspecified, lumbosacral region
- M46.48Discitis, unspecified, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
- M46.49Discitis, unspecified, multiple sites in spine
Related codes in this category
- M46.0Spinal enthesopathynon-billable header
- M46.1Sacroiliitis, not elsewhere classified
- M46.2Osteomyelitis of vertebranon-billable header
- M46.3Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic)non-billable header
- M46.5Other infective spondylopathiesnon-billable header
- M46.8Other specified inflammatory spondylopathiesnon-billable header
- M46.9Unspecified inflammatory spondylopathynon-billable header
- M46.4Discitis, unspecifiednon-billable header