S02.849A — Fracture of lateral orbital wall, unspecified side, initial encounter for closed fracture
Is S02.849A billable?
Yes, but S02.849A is an unspecified code. S02.849A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S02.849A is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting S02.849A — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
S02.849A at a glance
| Code | S02.849A |
|---|---|
| Description | Fracture of lateral orbital wall, unspecified side, initial encounter for closed fracture |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "A" | initial encounter for closed fracture |
What does the 7th character "A" mean in S02.849A?
In S02.849A, the 7th character A means initial encounter for closed fracture. The 7th character is required for S02.849A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S02.849A group to?
S02.849A sits in MDC Pre and helps define the logic of 3 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 011Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCCsurgical
- 012Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CCsurgical
- 013Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCCsurgical
As a secondary diagnosis, S02.849A is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG. It also carries Hospital-Acquired Condition category 05.
How is S02.849A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S02.84, the nearest indexed parent of S02.849A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Fracture, traumatic › orbit, orbital › wall › lateral (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S02.849A to fully describe the condition. S02.849A is sequenced first.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19
The conditions below are not part of S02.849A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S02.849A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S00-S09
The conditions below are not part of S02.849A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S02.849A and the excluded code may both be reported.
- burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
- effects of foreign body in ear (T16)
- effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3)
- effects of foreign body in mouth NOS (T18.0)
- effects of foreign body in nose (T17.0-T17.1)
- effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2)
- effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)
- frostbite (T33-T34)
- insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S02.8
The conditions below are not part of S02.849A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S02.849A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S02.84
The conditions below are not part of S02.849A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S02.849A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Code also — inherited from S00-S09
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S02.849A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- for any associated infection
Code also — inherited from S02
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S02.849A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated intracranial injury (S06.-)
How long has S02.849A existed?
S02.849A first appears in FY2021 (FY2020 is not available, so it may have appeared then).
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.