ICDcodes.org
FY2027

S51.859Open bite of unspecified forearm

Not billable

Is S51.859 billable?

No — S51.859 is a non-billable header code. S51.859 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 S51.859.

S51.859 at a glance

CodeS51.859
DescriptionOpen bite of unspecified forearm
BillableNo — header code
Code setICD-10-CM FY2027
Valid for encountersOctober 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027

How is S51.859 listed in the Alphabetic Index?

The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S51.85, the nearest indexed parent of S51.859. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.

  • Biteforearm (s) (animal) (human)

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S51

The conditions below can never be reported together with S51.859 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 fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character)
  • traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm (S58.-)

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S51.85

The conditions below can never be reported together with S51.859 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 S51.859 to fully describe the condition. S51.859 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 S51.859, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.859 and the excluded code may both be reported.

  • birth trauma (P10-P15)
  • obstetric trauma (O70-O71)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S50-S59

The conditions below are not part of S51.859, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.859 and the excluded code may both be reported.

  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • injuries of wrist and hand (S60-S69)
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S51

The conditions below are not part of S51.859, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.859 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 S51.859, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S51.859 and the excluded code may both be reported.

Code also — inherited from S51

Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S51.859 is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.

  • any associated wound infection

What codes fall under S51.859? (3)

How long has S51.859 existed?

S51.859 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.

What other codes are in the S51.85 family? (2)