S40.879A — Other superficial bite of unspecified upper arm, initial encounter
Is S40.879A billable?
Yes, but S40.879A is an unspecified code. S40.879A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S40.879A 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 S40.879A — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
S40.879A at a glance
| Code | S40.879A |
|---|---|
| Description | Other superficial bite of unspecified upper arm, 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 S40.879A?
In S40.879A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S40.879A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S40.879A group to?
S40.879A sits in MDC 09 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.
- 604Trauma to the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast with MCCmedical
- 605Trauma to the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast without MCCmedical
How is S40.879A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S40.87, the nearest indexed parent of S40.879A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Bite › arm › superficial NEC (s) (animal) (human)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S40.87
The conditions below can never be reported together with S40.879A on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- open bite of upper arm (S41.14)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S40.879A to fully describe the condition. S40.879A 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 S40.879A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S40.879A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S40-S49
The conditions below are not part of S40.879A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S40.879A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S40.87
The conditions below are not part of S40.879A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S40.879A and the excluded code may both be reported.
- other superficial bite of shoulder (S40.27-)
How long has S40.879A existed?
S40.879A 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.