S52.281J — Bent bone of right ulna, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing

Billable

Is S52.281J billable?

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

S52.281J at a glance

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

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

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

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

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

S52.281J 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.

559Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with MCCmedical
560Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue with CCmedical
561Aftercare, Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue without CC/MCCmedical

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

The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S52.28, the nearest indexed parent of S52.281J. 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 S52.281J 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 S52.281J to fully describe the condition. S52.281J 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 S52.281J, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S52.281J 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 S52.281J, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S52.281J 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 S52.281J, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S52.281J 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 S52.281J existed?

S52.281J 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.