S09.20XS — Traumatic rupture of unspecified ear drum, sequela
Is S09.20XS billable?
Yes, but S09.20XS is an unspecified code. S09.20XS is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S09.20XS 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 S09.20XS — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
S09.20XS at a glance
| Code | S09.20XS |
|---|---|
| Description | Traumatic rupture of unspecified ear drum, sequela |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "S" | sequela |
What does the 7th character "S" mean in S09.20XS?
In S09.20XS, the 7th character S means sequela. The 7th character is required for S09.20XS to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S09.20XS group to?
S09.20XS sits in MDC 21 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.
- 913Traumatic Injury with MCCmedical
- 914Traumatic Injury without MCCmedical
How is S09.20XS listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S09.2, the nearest indexed parent of S09.20XS. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Puncture › tympanum, tympanic membrane
- Wound, open › tympanum, tympanic membrane
- Laceration › ear › drum
- Perforation, perforated › tympanum, tympanic › traumatic, current episode (nontraumatic) (of)
- Puncture › ear › drum
- Rupture, ruptured › ear drum › traumatic
- Wound, open › ear › drum
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S09.2
The conditions below can never be reported together with S09.20XS on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- traumatic rupture of ear drum due to blast injury (S09.31-)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S09.20XS to fully describe the condition. S09.20XS 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 S09.20XS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S09.20XS and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S00-S09
The conditions below are not part of S09.20XS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S09.20XS 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 S09.20XS is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- for any associated infection
How long has S09.20XS existed?
S09.20XS 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.