S05.50XA — Penetrating wound with foreign body of unspecified eyeball, initial encounter
Is S05.50XA billable?
Yes, but S05.50XA will trip a Medicare edit. S05.50XA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, CMS lists S05.50XA under Medicare Code Editor edit 20, “Unspecified code” — meaning a code specifying laterality (right, left or bilateral) exists in the same family. On an inpatient claim this triggers the edit, because CMS holds that there are very limited circumstances in which laterality cannot be documented.
S05.50XA at a glance
| Code | S05.50XA |
|---|---|
| Description | Penetrating wound with foreign body of unspecified eyeball, initial encounter |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "A" | initial encounter |
What does the 7th character "A" mean in S05.50XA?
In S05.50XA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S05.50XA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
What Medicare edits apply to S05.50XA?
The Medicare Code Editor screens inpatient claims before they are grouped. These edits name S05.50XA directly.
A code specifying laterality (right, left or bilateral) exists in the same family. CMS holds that there are very limited circumstances in which laterality cannot be documented.
Which MS-DRGs does S05.50XA group to?
S05.50XA sits in MDC 02 and helps define the logic of 2 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 124Other Disorders of the Eye with MCC or Thrombolytic Agentmedical
- 125Other Disorders of the Eye without MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, S05.50XA is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.
How is S05.50XA listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S05.5, the nearest indexed parent of S05.50XA. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Foreign body › anterior chamber
- Foreign body › ciliary body
- Foreign body › intraocular
- Foreign body › retina
- Foreign body › vitreous
- Puncture › eyeball › with foreign body
- Wound, open › ocular › eyeball › with foreign body
- Injury › eyeball › penetrating › with › foreign body
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S05.50XA to fully describe the condition. S05.50XA 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 S05.50XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S05.50XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S00-S09
The conditions below are not part of S05.50XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S05.50XA 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 S05
The conditions below are not part of S05.50XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S05.50XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S05.5
The conditions below are not part of S05.50XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S05.50XA 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 S05.50XA is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- for any associated infection
How long has S05.50XA existed?
S05.50XA has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.