S11.20 — Unspecified open wound of pharynx and cervical esophagus
Is S11.20 billable?
No — S11.20 is a non-billable header code. S11.20 groups more specific codes and cannot be submitted on a claim. A valid ICD-10-CM code must be reported at the highest level of specificity available in its branch. Select one of the 3 billable codes beneath S11.20.
S11.20 at a glance
| Code | S11.20 |
|---|---|
| Description | Unspecified open wound of pharynx and cervical esophagus |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
How is S11.20 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
These are the routes through the Alphabetic Index that lead to S11.20. They show the wording a clinician may have documented, which often differs from the Tabular description.
- Wound, open › cervical esophagus
- Wound, open › pharynx
- Wound, open › neck › involving › cervical esophagus
- Wound, open › neck › involving › pharynx
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S11.2
The conditions below can never be reported together with S11.20 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- open wound of esophagus NOS (S27.8-)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S11.20 to fully describe the condition. S11.20 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 S11.20, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S11.20 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S10-S19
The conditions below are not part of S11.20, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S11.20 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S11
The conditions below are not part of S11.20, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S11.20 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- open fracture of vertebra (S12.- with 7th character B)
Code also — inherited from S11
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S11.20 is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
What codes fall under S11.20? (3)
How long has S11.20 existed?
S11.20 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.
Which conditions are coded to S11.20?
What other codes are in the S11.2 family? (5)
- S11.21Laceration without foreign body of pharynx and cervical esophagusnot billable
- S11.22Laceration with foreign body of pharynx and cervical esophagusnot billable
- S11.23Puncture wound without foreign body of pharynx and cervical esophagusnot billable
- S11.24Puncture wound with foreign body of pharynx and cervical esophagusnot billable
- S11.25Open bite of pharynx and cervical esophagusnot billable