---
title: "ICD-10-CM M54.2: Cervicalgia | BillingBrief"
description: "M54.2 is cervicalgia, the clinical term for neck pain. If the record ties the neck pain to an intervertebral cervical disc disorder, use a code from M50.-…"
canonical: "https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.2/"
language: "en"
---

# M54.2 Cervicalgia

ICD-10-CM · [CMS code reference](#source)

M54.2 is cervicalgia, the clinical term for neck pain. If the record ties the neck pain to an intervertebral cervical disc disorder, use a code from M50.- instead.

## What to know

-   Pick the sibling that matches the documented area: M54.2 for the neck, M54.6 for the thoracic spine, the M54.5- codes for the low back, and M54.9 when no area is named.

## Coding notes

From the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) tabular list. Notes on a parent code or category apply here too.

### Excludes1

Not coded together with this code. The exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

-   cervicalgia due to intervertebral cervical disc disorder (M50.-)
-   psychogenic dorsalgia (F45.41)
-   current injury - see injury of spine by body region
-   discitis NOS (M46.4-)

## Related codes

-   [`M54.15` Radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.15/)
-   [`M54.16` Radiculopathy, lumbar region ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.16/)
-   [`M54.17` Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.17/)
-   [`M54.18` Radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.18/)
-   [`M54.30` Sciatica, unspecified side ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.30/)
-   [`M54.31` Sciatica, right side ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.31/)
-   [`M54.32` Sciatica, left side ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.32/)
-   [`M54.40` Lumbago with sciatica, unspecified side ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.40/)

## Common questions

### What's the difference between M54.2 and M54.12?

M54.2 is neck pain. M54.12 is radiculopathy, a problem with a spinal nerve root, in the cervical (neck) region. Use the one that matches what the provider documents.

### Is M54.2 a billable code?

Yes. M54.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM code in the ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) code set.

## From the source

Official description from [CMS](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes).
ICD-10-CM FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026).

Code set

ICD-10-CM

Category

M54 Dorsalgia

Chapter

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue

Billable

Yes

Educational reference only. Not medical, legal, or billing advice. Always check the current official code set and payer policy before you bill. [About BillingBrief and our sources](https://billingbrief.com/about/).