S21.9 — Open wound of unspecified part of thorax
Is S21.9 billable?
No — S21.9 is a non-billable header code. S21.9 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 18 billable codes beneath S21.9.
Billable codes under this header
- S21.90XAUnspecified open wound of unspecified part of thorax, initial encounter
- S21.90XDUnspecified open wound of unspecified part of thorax, subsequent encounter
- S21.90XSUnspecified open wound of unspecified part of thorax, sequela
- S21.91XALaceration without foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, initial encounter
- S21.91XDLaceration without foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, subsequent encounter
- S21.91XSLaceration without foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, sequela
- S21.92XALaceration with foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, initial encounter
- S21.92XDLaceration with foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, subsequent encounter
- S21.92XSLaceration with foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, sequela
- S21.93XAPuncture wound without foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, initial encounter
- S21.93XDPuncture wound without foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, subsequent encounter
- S21.93XSPuncture wound without foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, sequela
- S21.94XAPuncture wound with foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, initial encounter
- S21.94XDPuncture wound with foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, subsequent encounter
- S21.94XSPuncture wound with foreign body of unspecified part of thorax, sequela
- S21.95XAOpen bite of unspecified part of thorax, initial encounter
- S21.95XDOpen bite of unspecified part of thorax, subsequent encounter
- S21.95XSOpen bite of unspecified part of thorax, sequela
S21.9 at a glance
| Code | S21.9 |
|---|---|
| Description | Open wound of unspecified part of thorax |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
Inclusion terms
Alternative wording in documentation that is classified to S21.9.
- Open wound of thoracic wall NOS
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S21
The conditions below can never be reported together with S21.9 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)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S21.9 to fully describe the condition. S21.9 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 S21.9, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S21.9 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S20-S29
The conditions below are not part of S21.9, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S21.9 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 S21.9 is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
What codes fall under S21.9? (6)
- S21.90Unspecified open wound of unspecified part of thoraxnot billable
- S21.91Laceration without foreign body of unspecified part of thoraxnot billable
- S21.92Laceration with foreign body of unspecified part of thoraxnot billable
- S21.93Puncture wound without foreign body of unspecified part of thoraxnot billable
- S21.94Puncture wound with foreign body of unspecified part of thoraxnot billable
- S21.95Open bite of unspecified part of thoraxnot billable
How long has S21.9 existed?
S21.9 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.
What other codes are in the S21 family? (5)
- S21.0Open wound of breastnot billable
- S21.1Open wound of front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavitynot billable
- S21.2Open wound of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavitynot billable
- S21.3Open wound of front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavitynot billable
- S21.4Open wound of back wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavitynot billable