S50.829A — Blister (nonthermal) of unspecified forearm, initial encounter
Is S50.829A billable?
Yes, but S50.829A is an unspecified code. S50.829A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S50.829A 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 S50.829A — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
S50.829A at a glance
| Code | S50.829A |
|---|---|
| Description | Blister (nonthermal) of unspecified forearm, 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 S50.829A?
In S50.829A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S50.829A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S50.829A group to?
S50.829A 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.
- 606Minor Skin Disorders with MCCmedical
- 607Minor Skin Disorders without MCCmedical
How is S50.829A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S50.82, the nearest indexed parent of S50.829A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Blister › forearm (nonthermal)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S50.829A to fully describe the condition. S50.829A 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 S50.829A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S50.829A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S50-S59
The conditions below are not part of S50.829A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S50.829A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S50
The conditions below are not part of S50.829A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S50.829A and the excluded code may both be reported.
- superficial injury of wrist and hand (S60.-)
How long has S50.829A existed?
S50.829A 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.