S21.251S — Open bite of right back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity, sequela
Is S21.251S billable?
Yes — S21.251S is billable for FY2027. S21.251S is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. S21.251S may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
S21.251S at a glance
| Code | S21.251S |
|---|---|
| Description | Open bite of right back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity, 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 S21.251S?
In S21.251S, the 7th character S means sequela. The 7th character is required for S21.251S to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S21.251S group to?
S21.251S sits in MDC 09 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.
- 604Trauma to the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast with MCCmedical
- 605Trauma to the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast without MCCmedical
How is S21.251S listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S21.25, the nearest indexed parent of S21.251S. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Bite › thorax, thoracic › back (s) (animal) (human)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S21
The conditions below can never be reported together with S21.251S 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 amputation (partial) of thorax (S28.1)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S21.25
The conditions below can never be reported together with S21.251S on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- superficial bite of back wall of thorax (S20.47)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S21.251S to fully describe the condition. S21.251S 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 S21.251S, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S21.251S and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S20-S29
The conditions below are not part of S21.251S, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S21.251S and the excluded code may both be reported.
- burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
- effects of foreign body in bronchus (T17.5)
- effects of foreign body in esophagus (T18.1)
- effects of foreign body in lung (T17.8)
- effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4)
- frostbite (T33-T34)
- injuries of axilla
- injuries of clavicle
- injuries of scapular region
- injuries of shoulder
- insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
Code also — inherited from S21
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S21.251S is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
How long has S21.251S existed?
S21.251S 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.