S21.259 — Open bite of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity
Is S21.259 billable?
No — S21.259 is a non-billable header code. S21.259 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 S21.259.
Billable codes under this header
- S21.259AOpen bite of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity, initial encounter
- S21.259DOpen bite of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity, subsequent encounter
- S21.259SOpen bite of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity, sequela
S21.259 at a glance
| Code | S21.259 |
|---|---|
| Description | Open bite of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
How is S21.259 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S21.25, the nearest indexed parent of S21.259. 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 S21.259 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 S21.259 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 S21.259 to fully describe the condition. S21.259 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 S21.259, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S21.259 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S20-S29
The conditions below are not part of S21.259, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S21.259 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 S21.259 is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
What codes fall under S21.259? (3)
- S21.259AOpen bite of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity, initial encounter
- S21.259DOpen bite of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity, subsequent encounter
- S21.259SOpen bite of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity, sequela
How long has S21.259 existed?
S21.259 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.