Neck Pain ICD-10 Coding: M54.2 and Related Diagnosis Codes

Neck pain is incredibly common. Studies show that about one in three adults in the U.S. experiences it at any given time. Whether caused by strain, injury, or simple wear and tear, it can interfere with daily activities and often leads to medical visits or therapy. To ensure proper documentation and reimbursement, healthcare providers use the ICD-10-CM code M54.2, which represents Cervicalgia (neck pain). The 2026 ICD-10-CM update, effective October 1, 2025, continues to recognize M54.2 as a billable and specific diagnosis code for neck pain.

While M54.2 is the go-to code for general neck pain, it’s not the only one providers need to know. Conditions like cervical disc disorders or radiculopathy fall under different ICD-10 categories. In this guide, we’ll explore M54.2 and other related diagnosis codes, along with documentation tips, recent updates, and best practices for accurate coding and clean claim submissions.

Neck Pain ICD 10 (M54.2 = Cervicalgia)

Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide. According to 2025 data from Lippincott, nearly 700 million people are currently affected. Prolonged sitting, computer work, and frequent phone use are major contributors, and studies show that women are more likely to experience neck pain than men.

The symptoms of cervicalgia (ICD-10 M54.2) can range from mild discomfort to severe stiffness that limits movement. Common signs include:

• Aching or sharp pain in the neck area
• Stiffness or tight muscles
• Headaches that extend to the back of the head
• Reduced range of motion
• Muscle spasms

When nerves are involved, symptoms may include:

• Radiating pain into the shoulders, arms, or fingers
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Weakness in the arms or hands

Other symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping may also occur.

Because of its prevalence, you’ll likely encounter this condition frequently in clinical practice. Knowing how to correctly use the ICD-10 code for neck pain (M54.2 diagnosis code) is essential for accurate documentation and minimizing insurance claim denials. If you’ve used the neck pain ICD 10 code before but aren’t fully confident about when and why to apply it, the next section will walk you through its proper use and related diagnosis codes.

Why It’s Important to Understand the Neck Pain ICD 10 Code (Diagnosis Code M54.2)

Before diving into the details of the neck pain ICD 10 code (M54.2), let’s quickly revisit what ICD-10 codes are and why they’re so important in physical therapy documentation and billing.

ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) provides a standardized way to record diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures. Every HIPAA-covered healthcare provider, including physical therapists, must use these codes when billing for reimbursement.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Who uses them: All HIPAA-covered providers, such as physical therapists, physicians, and clinics seeking insurance reimbursement.
  
• What they are: Alphanumeric codes (3–7 characters) that describe a patient’s condition in detail.
  
• Structure:
  
  • Characters 1–3: Diagnosis category
    
  • Characters 4–6: Cause, location, or severity
    
  • Character 7: Encounter type — for example:
    
    • A: Initial visit
      
    • D: Follow-up care
      
    • S: Sequela (aftereffects of an injury)
      
• Why they matter: ICD-10 codes justify medical necessity, support claim approval, and ensure consistency in patient records.
  

To be precise, learning about ICD-10 codes helps physical therapists code accurately, avoid denials, and communicate effectively with payers, making documentation smoother and more efficient.

What Is the ICD-10 Code for Neck Pain?

The official neck pain ICD-10 code is M54.2, also known as Cervicalgia. This code applies when a patient reports discomfort or pain in the cervical spine, typically along the back or sides of the neck. Whether the pain is acute (less than 3 months) or chronic (lasting longer than 3 months), M54.2 is the standard ICD 10 cervical pain code used for documentation and billing.

When selecting the right ICD10 neck pain code, always choose the most specific option available, ideally one with the maximum number of applicable characters. Greater specificity helps support reimbursement, as long as it’s backed by your clinical documentation and the patient’s medical history.

Diagnosis code M54.2 is considered billable and valid for reimbursement, though in some cases, a related or more detailed cervical spine pain ICD 10 code may better describe the underlying condition. Always verify the code against the patient’s chart and current ICD-10 updates to ensure compliance and accuracy.

Other Alternative ICD-10 Codes for Neck Pain

While M54.2 (Cervicalgia) is the primary neck pain ICD 10 code, other codes may be more accurate depending on what’s causing the pain or how it presents clinically. Selecting the most specific ICD-10 cervical pain code helps improve billing accuracy and ensures claims reflect the true diagnosis.

Here are some common alternatives and related options:

Condition	ICD 10 Codes	Notes
Cervicalgia (general neck pain)	M54.2	Used for nonspecific or localized neck pain
Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy	M50.1–	Use when pain radiates into shoulders or arms due to nerve involvement
Cervical spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy	M47.812	For degenerative changes in the cervical spine without nerve symptoms
Cervicalgia due to intervertebral disc disorder	M50.-	Use when pain is linked to disc pathology
Strain of muscle, fascia, and tendon at neck level	S16.1XXA	For acute neck muscle strain, such as from injury or overuse
Cervicocranial syndrome	M53.0	For neck pain associated with headaches or dizziness
Postural or mechanical neck pain	M53.82	Used when pain is related to poor posture or muscle imbalance

Additional ICD-10 Codes that Can Be Used for Neck-related Conditions

Condition	Codes	Notes
Spinal stenosis, cervical region	M48.02	Narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck, which can compress nerves and cause pain, numbness, or weakness.
Other spondylosis with myelopathy, cervical region	M47.12	Degenerative changes in the cervical spine causing spinal cord compression (myelopathy).
Other spondylosis with myelopathy, cervicothoracic region	M47.13	Similar to M47.12, but involving the junction between the cervical and thoracic spine.
Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervical region	M47.22	Degenerative changes causing nerve root compression and radiating pain into arms.
Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region	M47.23	Same as above, but in the cervicothoracic junction.
Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, cervical region	M47.812	Degenerative changes in the cervical spine without nerve or spinal cord involvement.
Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region	M47.813	Same as above, but in the cervicothoracic junction.
Injury of muscle, fascia, and tendon at neck level	S16	Used for acute neck injuries, e.g., strains or sprains. A more specific subcode can be selected depending on the type and side of injury.

Top Tips for Accurate Neck Pain ICD-10 Coding and Full Reimbursement

Even a simple case of neck pain can require careful selection from multiple ICD-10 codes. Here are proven tips to ensure accurate coding and full reimbursement.

1. Choose the Most Specific ICD-10 Code

• M54.2 – Cervicalgia: Use for general neck pain without radiculopathy or disc disorder.
• M50.1 – Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy: If pain radiates to the arm or there’s documented nerve involvement.
• M50.0 – Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy: For spinal cord involvement (rare but critical for reimbursement).
• M53.x – Cervicobrachial syndrome or dorsopathy: For cases involving nerve or structural abnormalities not captured by M50.x.

Tip: Do not use unspecified codes (M54.9, M50.9) unless documentation truly lacks detail, as payers often flag them.

2. Document the Clinical Details

• Location: Specify exact cervical level if possible (C1–C7).
• Laterality: Right, left, or bilateral symptoms.
• Type of pain: Radicular, myelopathic, muscle strain, or mechanical.
• Duration & Severity: Acute vs chronic, mild vs severe.
• Associated symptoms: Numbness, tingling, weakness, headache, shoulder involvement.

Example: “Patient reports chronic right-sided neck pain radiating to the right arm, consistent with cervical radiculopathy. MRI confirms C6–C7 disc herniation.”

 This allows M50.1 to be justified.

3. Link ICD-10 Codes to CPT / Services

• Ensure the diagnosis code matches the procedure code:
  • Office visit: 99202–99215 → link to M54.2 or M50.1
  • Imaging: 72141 (cervical spine X-ray) → link to documented neck pain/disc disorder
  • Physical therapy / injections → link to documented radiculopathy or cervicalgia

4. Avoid Common Denial Traps

• Using too generic codes (like M54.9) → may trigger medical necessity denial.
• Failing to document radicular symptoms → M50.1 may be rejected.
• Using multiple overlapping codes incorrectly → payer confusion.
  

5. Tips for Complete Reimbursement

1. Always support the ICD-10 code with clinical documentation.
2. Use the most specific code for radiculopathy or disc disorder if present.
3. Include laterality and level of involvement whenever possible.
4. Link each procedure/service to the correct ICD-10 code.
5. Keep progress notes, imaging reports, and exam findings in the record.

Conclusion: 

Accurate ICD-10 coding for neck pain, such as M54.2 (Cervicalgia), is critical for ensuring proper reimbursement. Even cases that seem straightforward can have multiple coding options, and selecting the right one, whether it’s dx code M54.2, ICD M54.2, or simply the Cervicalgia ICD-10 code, can make a significant difference in claim approval. 

At Liberty Liens, our AR follow-up specialists understand these nuances. We meticulously review documentation, verify that the correct ICD codes are used, and ensure every claim aligns with payer requirements. By partnering with us, healthcare providers can focus on patient care, while we handle the details of coding, billing, and follow-up to maximize revenue and minimize claim denials. 

Trust Liberty Liens to manage your ICD-10 coding and AR follow-up with precision, so your practice receives the reimbursement it deserves.