S51.809 — Unspecified open wound of unspecified forearm
Is S51.809 billable?
No — S51.809 is a non-billable header code. S51.809 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 S51.809.
S51.809 at a glance
| Code | S51.809 |
|---|---|
| Description | Unspecified open wound of unspecified forearm |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
How is S51.809 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S51.80, the nearest indexed parent of S51.809. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Wound, open › forearm
Inclusion terms
Alternative wording in documentation that is classified to S51.809.
- Open wound of forearm NOS
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S51
The conditions below can never be reported together with S51.809 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 S51.809 to fully describe the condition. S51.809 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 S51.809, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.809 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S50-S59
The conditions below are not part of S51.809, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.809 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S51
The conditions below are not part of S51.809, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.809 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- open wound of wrist and hand (S61.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S51.8
The conditions below are not part of S51.809, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.809 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- open wound of elbow (S51.0-)
Code also — inherited from S51
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S51.809 is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated wound infection
What codes fall under S51.809? (3)
How long has S51.809 existed?
S51.809 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.