S52.281C — Bent bone of right ulna, initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC

BillableMCC

Is S52.281C billable?

Yes — S52.281C is billable for FY2027. S52.281C is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. S52.281C may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

S52.281C at a glance

Code	S52.281C
Description	Bent bone of right ulna, initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC
Billable	Yes
Code set	ICD-10-CM FY2027
Valid for encounters	October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
7th character "C"	initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC

What does the 7th character "C" mean in S52.281C?

In S52.281C, the 7th character C means initial encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC. The 7th character is required for S52.281C to be a valid, complete code.

Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:

Which MS-DRGs does S52.281C group to?

S52.281C sits in MDC 08 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.

562Fracture, Sprain, Strain and Dislocation Except Femur, Hip, Pelvis and Thigh with MCCmedical
563Fracture, Sprain, Strain and Dislocation Except Femur, Hip, Pelvis and Thigh without MCCmedical

As a secondary diagnosis, S52.281C is a major complication or comorbidity (MCC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG. It also carries Hospital-Acquired Condition category 05.

How is S52.281C listed in the Alphabetic Index?

The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S52.28, the nearest indexed parent of S52.281C. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.

Fracture, traumatic › ulna › bent bone (abduction) (adduction) (separation)

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S52

The conditions below can never be reported together with S52.281C 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 S52.281C to fully describe the condition. S52.281C 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 S52.281C, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S52.281C 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 S52.281C, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S52.281C 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 S52

The conditions below are not part of S52.281C, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S52.281C and the excluded code may both be reported.

fracture at wrist and hand level (S62.-)
periprosthetic fracture around internal prosthetic elbow joint (M97.4)

How long has S52.281C existed?

S52.281C 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.