S33.120A — Subluxation of L2/L3 lumbar vertebra, initial encounter
Is S33.120A billable?
Yes — S33.120A is billable for FY2027. S33.120A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. S33.120A may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
S33.120A at a glance
| Code | S33.120A |
|---|---|
| Description | Subluxation of L2/L3 lumbar vertebra, 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 S33.120A?
In S33.120A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S33.120A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S33.120A group to?
S33.120A sits in MDC 08 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.
- 551Medical Back Problems with MCCmedical
- 552Medical Back Problems without MCCmedical
How is S33.120A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S33.120, the nearest indexed parent of S33.120A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Subluxation › vertebral › traumatic › lumbar › joint between › L2 and L3
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S33
The conditions below can never be reported together with S33.120A on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S33.120A to fully describe the condition. S33.120A 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 S33.120A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S33.120A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S30-S39
The conditions below are not part of S33.120A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S33.120A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S33
The conditions below are not part of S33.120A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S33.120A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S33.1
The conditions below are not part of S33.120A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S33.120A and the excluded code may both be reported.
- fracture of lumbar vertebrae (S32.0-)
Code also — inherited from S33
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S33.120A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated open wound
Code also — inherited from S33.1
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S33.120A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
How long has S33.120A existed?
S33.120A 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.