S44.20XA — Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
Is S44.20XA billable?
Yes, but S44.20XA is an unspecified code. S44.20XA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S44.20XA 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 S44.20XA — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
S44.20XA at a glance
| Code | S44.20XA |
|---|---|
| Description | Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, unspecified 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 S44.20XA?
In S44.20XA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S44.20XA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S44.20XA group to?
S44.20XA 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.
- 073Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Disorders with MCCmedical
- 074Cranial and Peripheral Nerve Disorders without MCCmedical
How is S44.20XA listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S44.2, the nearest indexed parent of S44.20XA. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Injury › nerve NEC › radial › upper arm
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S44.2
The conditions below can never be reported together with S44.20XA on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- radial nerve NOS (S54.2)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S44.20XA to fully describe the condition. S44.20XA 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 S44.20XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S44.20XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S40-S49
The conditions below are not part of S44.20XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S44.20XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S44
The conditions below are not part of S44.20XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S44.20XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
- injury of brachial plexus (S14.3-)
Code also — inherited from S44
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S44.20XA is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated open wound (S41.-)
How long has S44.20XA existed?
S44.20XA 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.