S51.029S — Laceration with foreign body of unspecified elbow, sequela
Is S51.029S billable?
Yes, but S51.029S is an unspecified code. S51.029S is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S51.029S 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 S51.029S — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
S51.029S at a glance
| Code | S51.029S |
|---|---|
| Description | Laceration with foreign body of unspecified elbow, 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 S51.029S?
In S51.029S, the 7th character S means sequela. The 7th character is required for S51.029S to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S51.029S group to?
S51.029S 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 S51.029S listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S51.02, the nearest indexed parent of S51.029S. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Laceration › elbow › with › foreign body
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S51
The conditions below can never be reported together with S51.029S on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S51.029S to fully describe the condition. S51.029S 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 S51.029S, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.029S and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S50-S59
The conditions below are not part of S51.029S, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.029S and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S51
The conditions below are not part of S51.029S, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.029S and the excluded code may both be reported.
- open wound of wrist and hand (S61.-)
Code also — inherited from S51
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S51.029S is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated wound infection
How long has S51.029S existed?
S51.029S 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.