S50.879 — Other superficial bite of unspecified forearm
Is S50.879 billable?
No — S50.879 is a non-billable header code. S50.879 groups more specific codes and cannot be submitted on a claim. A valid ICD-10-CM code must be reported at the highest level of specificity available in its branch. Select one of the 3 billable codes beneath S50.879.
S50.879 at a glance
| Code | S50.879 |
|---|---|
| Description | Other superficial bite of unspecified forearm |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
How is S50.879 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S50.87, the nearest indexed parent of S50.879. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Bite › forearm › superficial NEC (s) (animal) (human)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S50.87
The conditions below can never be reported together with S50.879 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 forearm (S51.84)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S50.879 to fully describe the condition. S50.879 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 S50.879, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S50.879 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S50-S59
The conditions below are not part of S50.879, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S50.879 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S50
The conditions below are not part of S50.879, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S50.879 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- superficial injury of wrist and hand (S60.-)
What codes fall under S50.879? (3)
How long has S50.879 existed?
S50.879 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.