S36.438A — Laceration of other part of small intestine, initial encounter
Is S36.438A billable?
Yes — S36.438A is billable for FY2027. S36.438A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. S36.438A may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
S36.438A at a glance
| Code | S36.438A |
|---|---|
| Description | Laceration of other part of small intestine, 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 S36.438A?
In S36.438A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S36.438A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S36.438A group to?
S36.438A sits in MDC 06 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.
- 393Other Digestive System Diagnoses with MCCmedical
- 394Other Digestive System Diagnoses with CCmedical
- 395Other Digestive System Diagnoses without CC/MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, S36.438A is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.
How is S36.438A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S36.438, the nearest indexed parent of S36.438A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Laceration › ileum
- Laceration › jejunum
- Laceration › intestine › small › specified site NEC
- Injury › intestine › small › laceration › specified site NEC
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S36.438A to fully describe the condition. S36.438A 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 S36.438A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S36.438A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S30-S39
The conditions below are not part of S36.438A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S36.438A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Code also — inherited from S36
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S36.438A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated open wound (S31.-)
How long has S36.438A existed?
S36.438A 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.