S44.20XS — Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, sequela
Is S44.20XS billable?
Yes, but S44.20XS is an unspecified code. S44.20XS is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S44.20XS 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 S44.20XS — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
S44.20XS at a glance
| Code | S44.20XS |
|---|---|
| Description | Injury of radial nerve at upper arm level, unspecified arm, sequela |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "S" | sequela |
What does the 7th character "S" mean in S44.20XS?
In S44.20XS, the 7th character S means sequela. The 7th character is required for S44.20XS to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S44.20XS group to?
S44.20XS sits in MDC 01 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.
- 091Other Disorders of Nervous System with MCCmedical
- 092Other Disorders of Nervous System with CCmedical
- 093Other Disorders of Nervous System without CC/MCCmedical
How is S44.20XS listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S44.2, the nearest indexed parent of S44.20XS. 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 S44.20XS 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 S44.20XS to fully describe the condition. S44.20XS 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 S44.20XS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S44.20XS and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S40-S49
The conditions below are not part of S44.20XS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S44.20XS and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S44
The conditions below are not part of S44.20XS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S44.20XS 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 S44.20XS is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated open wound (S41.-)
How long has S44.20XS existed?
S44.20XS 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.