From the Guidelines
The primary ICD-10 code for neck pain is M54.2, which specifically denotes cervicalgia or neck pain. For more specific neck pain conditions, there are additional codes such as M54.12 for radiculopathy in the cervical region, M50.1 for cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, or M53.0 for cervicocranial syndrome. When coding neck pain, healthcare providers should select the most specific code that accurately reflects the patient's diagnosis based on clinical findings, as emphasized by the American College of Radiology in their guidelines 1. The code selection may change if the neck pain is determined to be due to a specific cause like trauma (use S16.1 for strain of muscle/tendon of neck), degenerative changes, or other underlying conditions. Proper coding is essential for accurate medical records, appropriate billing, and ensuring continuity of care, as highlighted in various studies 1. The specific nature and cause of the neck pain should be documented in the medical record to support the selected ICD code. Some key points to consider when coding neck pain include:
- The presence of red flag symptoms, such as trauma, malignancy, or infection, which may require additional codes or a different approach to coding 1
- The presence of degenerative changes, which may be relevant to coding decisions 1
- The importance of selecting the most specific code possible to reflect the patient's diagnosis and ensure accurate billing and record-keeping 1
From the Research
ICD Code for Neck Pain
- The ICD code for neck pain is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- However, one study mentions the use of ICD-9 codes for various conditions, including cervical joint sprain/strain (ICD-9 code: 847.1,847.3,846.1) and discogenic low-back pain (ICD-9: 722.1) 6.
- It is worth noting that the ICD-9 code 847.0 is sometimes used to represent neck pain, but this is not mentioned in the provided studies.
- For accurate and up-to-date information on ICD codes, it is recommended to consult the official ICD documentation or a reliable medical coding resource 6.