M48.4 vs M84.3
M48.4 (Fatigue fracture of vertebra) compared with M84.3 (Stress fracture), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).
Can these codes be reported together?
Yes, when both are documented. M84.3 carries an Excludes2 note covering M48.4: “stress fracture of vertebra (M48.4-)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Side by side
| M48.4Fatigue fracture of vertebra | M84.3Stress fracture | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Non-billable header Report instead: M48.40XA, M48.40XD, M48.40XG, M48.40XS, M48.41XA | Non-billable header Report instead: M84.30XA, M84.30XD, M84.30XG, M84.30XK, M84.30XP |
| Classification | M00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99) | M00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99) |
| Definition | Fatigue fracture of vertebra is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (M48.4). | Stress fracture is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (M84.3). |
| 7th character | The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from subcategory M48.4: | The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from subcategory M84.3: |
| Includes | Stress fracture of vertebra | Fatigue fracture March fracture Stress fracture NOS Stress reaction |
| Use additional code | — | external cause code(s) to identify the cause of the stress fracture |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources