---
title: "ICD-10-CM M54.6: Pain in thoracic spine | BillingBrief"
description: "M54.6 is pain in the thoracic spine, the middle part of the back between the neck and the lower back. If the record ties it to an intervertebral disc…"
canonical: "https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.6/"
language: "en"
---

# M54.6 Pain in thoracic spine

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

M54.6 is pain in the thoracic spine, the middle part of the back between the neck and the lower back. If the record ties it to an intervertebral disc disorder, use a code from M51.- 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.

-   pain in thoracic spine due to intervertebral disc disorder (M51.-)
-   psychogenic dorsalgia (F45.41)
-   current injury - see injury of spine by body region
-   discitis NOS (M46.4-)

## Related codes

-   [`M54.41` Lumbago with sciatica, right side ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.41/)
-   [`M54.42` Lumbago with sciatica, left side ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.42/)
-   [`M54.50` Low back pain, unspecified ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.50/)
-   [`M54.51` Vertebrogenic low back pain ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.51/)
-   [`M54.59` Other low back pain ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.59/)
-   [`M54.81` Occipital neuralgia ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.81/)
-   [`M54.89` Other dorsalgia ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.89/)
-   [`M54.9` Dorsalgia, unspecified ICD-10-CM](https://billingbrief.com/icd10/m54.9/)

## Common questions

### Is M54.6 a billable code?

Yes. M54.6 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/).