S06.81AA — Injury of right internal carotid artery, intracranial portion, not elsewhere classified with loss of consciousness status unknown, initial encounter
Is S06.81AA billable?
Yes, but S06.81AA is an unspecified code. S06.81AA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S06.81AA 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 S06.81AA — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
- S06.0X0AConcussion without loss of consciousness, initial encounter
- S06.1X0ATraumatic cerebral edema without loss of consciousness, initial encounter
- S06.2X0ADiffuse traumatic brain injury without loss of consciousness, initial encounter
- S06.300AUnspecified focal traumatic brain injury without loss of consciousness, initial encounter
- S06.4X0AEpidural hemorrhage without loss of consciousness, initial encounter
- S06.5X0ATraumatic subdural hemorrhage without loss of consciousness, initial encounter
- S06.6X0ATraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage without loss of consciousness, initial encounter
- S06.A0XATraumatic brain compression without herniation, initial encounter
S06.81AA at a glance
| Code | S06.81AA |
|---|---|
| Description | Injury of right internal carotid artery, intracranial portion, not elsewhere classified with loss of consciousness status unknown, 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 S06.81AA?
In S06.81AA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S06.81AA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S06.81AA group to?
S06.81AA sits in MDC 01 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.
- 082Traumatic Stupor and Coma >1 Hour with MCCmedical
- 083Traumatic Stupor and Coma >1 Hour with CCmedical
- 084Traumatic Stupor and Coma >1 Hour without CC/MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, S06.81AA 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 S06.81AA listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S06.8, the nearest indexed parent of S06.81AA. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Injury › blood vessel NEC › carotid artery › internal, intracranial
Inclusion terms
Alternative wording in documentation that is classified to S06.81AA.
- Injury of right internal carotid artery, intracranial portion, not elsewhere classified NOS
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S06
The conditions below can never be reported together with S06.81AA on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- head injury NOS (S09.90)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S06.81AA to fully describe the condition. S06.81AA is sequenced first.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Use additional code — inherited from S06
Report an additional code alongside S06.81AA to fully describe the condition. S06.81AA is sequenced first.
- code, if applicable, to identify mild neurocognitive disorders due to known physiological condition (F06.7-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19
The conditions below are not part of S06.81AA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S06.81AA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S00-S09
The conditions below are not part of S06.81AA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S06.81AA 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)
Code also — inherited from S00-S09
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S06.81AA is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- for any associated infection
Code also — inherited from S06
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S06.81AA is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
How long has S06.81AA existed?
S06.81AA first appears in FY2023.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.