CMS Pub. 100-02, ch. 15, § 240.1.4

B3-2251.4

The precise level of the subluxation must be specified by the chiropractor to substantiate

a claim for manipulation of the spine. This designation is made in relation to the part of

the spine in which the subluxation is identified:

Area of Spine Names of Vertebrae

Number of

Vertebrae

Short Form or

Other Name

Neck Occiput 7 Occ, CO

Cervical C1 thru C7

Atlas C1

Axis C2

Back Dorsal or 12 D1 thru D12

Thoracic T1 thru T12

Costovertebral R1 thru R12

Costotransverse R1 thru R12

Low Back Lumbar 5 L1 thru L5

Pelvis IIii, r and 1 I, Si

Sacral Sacrum, Coccyx S, SC

In addition to the vertebrae and pelvic bones listed, the Ilii (R and L) are included with

the sacrum as an area where a condition may occur which would be appropriate for

chiropractic manipulative treatment.

There are two ways in which the level of the subluxation may be specified.

The exact bones may be listed, for example: C5, C6, etc.

The area may suffice if it implies only certain bones such as: Occipito-atlantal

(occiput and C1 (atlas)), lumbo-sacral (L5 and Sacrum), sacro-iliac (sacrum and

ilium).

Following are some common examples of acceptable descriptive terms for the nature of

the abnormalities:

Off-centered

Misalignment

Malpositioning

Spacing - abnormal, altered, decreased, increased

Incomplete dislocation

Rotation

Listhesis - antero, postero, retro, lateral, spondylo

Motion - limited, lost, restricted, flexion, extension, hyper mobility, hypomotility,

aberrant

Other terms may be used. If they are understood clearly to refer to bone or joint space or

position (or motion) changes of vertebral elements, they are acceptable.