S36.251A — Moderate laceration of body of pancreas, initial encounter
Is S36.251A billable?
Yes — S36.251A is billable for FY2027. S36.251A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. S36.251A may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
S36.251A at a glance
| Code | S36.251A |
|---|---|
| Description | Moderate laceration of body of pancreas, 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 S36.251A?
In S36.251A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S36.251A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S36.251A group to?
S36.251A sits in MDC 07 and helps define the logic of 3 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 438Disorders of Pancreas Except Malignancy with MCCmedical
- 439Disorders of Pancreas Except Malignancy with CCmedical
- 440Disorders of Pancreas Except Malignancy without CC/MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, S36.251A is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.
How is S36.251A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S36.251, the nearest indexed parent of S36.251A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Laceration › pancreas › body › moderate
- Injury › pancreas › body › laceration › moderate
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S36.251A to fully describe the condition. S36.251A 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 S36.251A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S36.251A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S30-S39
The conditions below are not part of S36.251A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S36.251A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Code also — inherited from S36
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S36.251A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated open wound (S31.-)
How long has S36.251A existed?
S36.251A 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.