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G55 vs M51.1

G55 (Nerve root and plexus compressions in diseases classified elsewhere) compared with M51.1 (Thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.

Can these codes be reported together?

No — do not report together. G55 carries an Excludes1 note covering M51.1: “nerve root compression (due to) (in) intervertebral disc disorders (M50.1.-, M51.1.-)”

Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Side by side

G55Nerve root and plexus compressions in diseases classified elsewhereM51.1Thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy
Billing statusBillableNon-billable header

Report instead: M51.14, M51.15, M51.16, M51.17

ClassificationG00-G99 — Diseases of the Nervous System (G00-G99)M00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99)
DefinitionNerve root and plexus compressions in diseases classified elsewhere is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (G55).Thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (M51.1).
Includes
Sciatica due to intervertebral disc disorder
Code first
underlying disease, such as:
neoplasm (C00-D49)

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources