S22.4 — Multiple fractures of ribs
Is S22.4 billable?
No — S22.4 is a non-billable header code. S22.4 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 24 billable codes beneath S22.4.
Billable codes under this header
- S22.41XAMultiple fractures of ribs, right side, initial encounter for closed fracture
- S22.41XBMultiple fractures of ribs, right side, initial encounter for open fracture
- S22.41XDMultiple fractures of ribs, right side, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
- S22.41XGMultiple fractures of ribs, right side, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- S22.41XKMultiple fractures of ribs, right side, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
- S22.41XSMultiple fractures of ribs, right side, sequela
- S22.42XAMultiple fractures of ribs, left side, initial encounter for closed fracture
- S22.42XBMultiple fractures of ribs, left side, initial encounter for open fracture
- S22.42XDMultiple fractures of ribs, left side, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
- S22.42XGMultiple fractures of ribs, left side, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- S22.42XKMultiple fractures of ribs, left side, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
- S22.42XSMultiple fractures of ribs, left side, sequela
- S22.43XAMultiple fractures of ribs, bilateral, initial encounter for closed fracture
- S22.43XBMultiple fractures of ribs, bilateral, initial encounter for open fracture
- S22.43XDMultiple fractures of ribs, bilateral, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
- S22.43XGMultiple fractures of ribs, bilateral, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- S22.43XKMultiple fractures of ribs, bilateral, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
- S22.43XSMultiple fractures of ribs, bilateral, sequela
- S22.49XAMultiple fractures of ribs, unspecified side, initial encounter for closed fracture
- S22.49XBMultiple fractures of ribs, unspecified side, initial encounter for open fracture
- S22.49XDMultiple fractures of ribs, unspecified side, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
- S22.49XGMultiple fractures of ribs, unspecified side, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- S22.49XKMultiple fractures of ribs, unspecified side, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
- S22.49XSMultiple fractures of ribs, unspecified side, sequela
S22.4 at a glance
| Code | S22.4 |
|---|---|
| Description | Multiple fractures of ribs |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
How is S22.4 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
These are the routes through the Alphabetic Index that lead to S22.4. They show the wording a clinician may have documented, which often differs from the Tabular description.
- Fracture, traumatic › rib › multiple (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
- Fracture, traumatic › thorax › rib › multiple (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
Excludes1 — never code together
The conditions below can never be reported together with S22.4 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- flail chest (S22.5-)
Inclusion terms
Alternative wording in documentation that is classified to S22.4.
- Fractures of two or more ribs
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S22
The conditions below can never be reported together with S22.4 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- transection of thorax (S28.1)
Code first — inherited from S22
The underlying condition below must be sequenced before S22.4. S22.4 describes a manifestation and cannot be the principal or first-listed diagnosis.
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S22.4 to fully describe the condition. S22.4 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 S22.4, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S22.4 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S20-S29
The conditions below are not part of S22.4, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S22.4 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)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S22
The conditions below are not part of S22.4, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S22.4 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Code also — inherited from S22
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S22.4 is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
What codes fall under S22.4? (4)
How long has S22.4 existed?
S22.4 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 codes are confused with S22.4?
ICD-10-CM declares these codes mutually exclusive with S22.4 — exactly one of each pair can be correct for a given encounter.