S24.101A — Unspecified injury at T1 level of thoracic spinal cord, initial encounter
Is S24.101A billable?
Yes, but S24.101A is an unspecified code. S24.101A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S24.101A is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting S24.101A — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
S24.101A at a glance
| Code | S24.101A |
|---|---|
| Description | Unspecified injury at T1 level of thoracic spinal cord, 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 S24.101A?
In S24.101A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S24.101A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S24.101A group to?
S24.101A sits in MDC 01 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.
- 052Spinal Disorders and Injuries with CC/MCCmedical
- 053Spinal Disorders and Injuries without CC/MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, S24.101A is a major complication or comorbidity (MCC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG. It also carries Hospital-Acquired Condition category 05.
How is S24.101A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S24.101, the nearest indexed parent of S24.101A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Injury › spinal › thoracic › T1 level
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S24.101A to fully describe the condition. S24.101A 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 S24.101A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S24.101A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S20-S29
The conditions below are not part of S24.101A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S24.101A 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 S24
The conditions below are not part of S24.101A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S24.101A and the excluded code may both be reported.
- injury of brachial plexus (S14.3)
Code also — inherited from S24
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S24.101A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
How long has S24.101A existed?
S24.101A 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.