S52.046M — Nondisplaced fracture of coronoid process of unspecified ulna, subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion
Is S52.046M billable?
Yes, but S52.046M will trip a Medicare edit. S52.046M is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, CMS lists S52.046M under Medicare Code Editor edit 20, “Unspecified code” — meaning a code specifying laterality (right, left or bilateral) exists in the same family. On an inpatient claim this triggers the edit, because CMS holds that there are very limited circumstances in which laterality cannot be documented.
More specific alternatives
- S52.041MDisplaced fracture of coronoid process of right ulna, subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion
- S52.042MDisplaced fracture of coronoid process of left ulna, subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion
- S52.044MNondisplaced fracture of coronoid process of right ulna, subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion
- S52.045MNondisplaced fracture of coronoid process of left ulna, subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion
S52.046M at a glance
| Code | S52.046M |
|---|---|
| Description | Nondisplaced fracture of coronoid process of unspecified ulna, subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "M" | subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion |
What does the 7th character "M" mean in S52.046M?
In S52.046M, the 7th character M means subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion. The 7th character is required for S52.046M to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
- Ainitial encounter for closed fractureS52.046A
- Binitial encounter for open fracture type I or IIS52.046B
- Cinitial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIICS52.046C
- Dsubsequent encounter for closed fracture with routine healingS52.046D
- Esubsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with routine healingS52.046E
- Fsubsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with routine healingS52.046F
- Gsubsequent encounter for closed fracture with delayed healingS52.046G
- Hsubsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with delayed healingS52.046H
- Jsubsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healingS52.046J
- Ksubsequent encounter for closed fracture with nonunionS52.046K
- Msubsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunionS52.046M
- Nsubsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with nonunionS52.046N
- Psubsequent encounter for closed fracture with malunionS52.046P
- Qsubsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with malunionS52.046Q
- Rsubsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with malunionS52.046R
- SsequelaS52.046S
What Medicare edits apply to S52.046M?
The Medicare Code Editor screens inpatient claims before they are grouped. These edits name S52.046M directly.
A code specifying laterality (right, left or bilateral) exists in the same family. CMS holds that there are very limited circumstances in which laterality cannot be documented.
Which MS-DRGs does S52.046M group to?
S52.046M sits in MDC 08 and helps define the logic of 3 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 564Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCCmedical
- 565Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CCmedical
- 566Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, S52.046M is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.
How is S52.046M listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S52.04, the nearest indexed parent of S52.046M. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Fracture, traumatic › ulna › upper end › coronoid process (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
- Fracture, traumatic › ulna › upper end › coronoid process › nondisplaced (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S52
The conditions below can never be reported together with S52.046M on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- traumatic amputation of forearm (S58.-)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S52.046M to fully describe the condition. S52.046M 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 S52.046M, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S52.046M and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S50-S59
The conditions below are not part of S52.046M, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S52.046M and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S52
The conditions below are not part of S52.046M, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S52.046M and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S52.0
The conditions below are not part of S52.046M, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S52.046M and the excluded code may both be reported.
How long has S52.046M existed?
S52.046M 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.