Q68.0 vs Q79
Q68.0 (Congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle) compared with Q79 (Congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system, not elsewhere classified), 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. Q79 carries an Excludes2 note covering Q68.0: “congenital (sternomastoid) torticollis (Q68.0)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Side by side
| Q68.0Congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle | Q79Congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system, not elsewhere classified | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Non-billable header |
| Classification | Q00-Q99 — Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities (Q00-Q99) | Q00-Q99 — Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities (Q00-Q99) |
| Definition | Congenital deformity of sternocleidomastoid muscle is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (Q68.0). | — |
| Includes | Congenital contracture of sternocleidomastoid (muscle) Congenital (sternomastoid) torticollis Sternomastoid tumor (congenital) | — |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources