S11.21XA — Laceration without foreign body of pharynx and cervical esophagus, initial encounter
Is S11.21XA billable?
Yes — S11.21XA is billable for FY2027. S11.21XA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. S11.21XA may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
S11.21XA at a glance
| Code | S11.21XA |
|---|---|
| Description | Laceration without foreign body of pharynx and cervical esophagus, 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 S11.21XA?
In S11.21XA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S11.21XA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S11.21XA group to?
S11.21XA 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, S11.21XA is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.
How is S11.21XA listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S11.21, the nearest indexed parent of S11.21XA. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Laceration › pharynx
- Laceration › esophagus › traumatic › cervical
- Laceration › neck › involving › cervical esophagus
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S11.2
The conditions below can never be reported together with S11.21XA 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 S11.21XA to fully describe the condition. S11.21XA 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 S11.21XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S11.21XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S10-S19
The conditions below are not part of S11.21XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S11.21XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S11
The conditions below are not part of S11.21XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S11.21XA 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 S11.21XA is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
How long has S11.21XA existed?
S11.21XA 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.