S61.259A — Open bite of unspecified finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
Is S61.259A billable?
Yes, but S61.259A is an unspecified code. S61.259A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S61.259A is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting S61.259A — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
- S61.250AOpen bite of right index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
- S61.251AOpen bite of left index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
- S61.252AOpen bite of right middle finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
- S61.253AOpen bite of left middle finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
- S61.254AOpen bite of right ring finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
- S61.255AOpen bite of left ring finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
- S61.256AOpen bite of right little finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
- S61.257AOpen bite of left little finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
- S61.258AOpen bite of other finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
S61.259A at a glance
| Code | S61.259A |
|---|---|
| Description | Open bite of unspecified finger without damage to nail, initial encounter |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "A" | initial encounter |
What does the 7th character "A" mean in S61.259A?
In S61.259A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S61.259A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S61.259A group to?
S61.259A sits in MDC 09 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.
- 604Trauma to the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast with MCCmedical
- 605Trauma to the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast without MCCmedical
How is S61.259A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S61.259, the nearest indexed parent of S61.259A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Bite › finger (s) (animal) (human)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S61
The conditions below can never be reported together with S61.259A on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S61.2
The conditions below can never be reported together with S61.259A 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 wound of finger involving nail (matrix) (S61.3-)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S61.25
The conditions below can never be reported together with S61.259A 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 S61.259A to fully describe the condition. S61.259A 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 S61.259A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S61.259A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S60-S69
The conditions below are not part of S61.259A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S61.259A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S61.2
The conditions below are not part of S61.259A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S61.259A and the excluded code may both be reported.
- open wound of thumb without damage to nail (S61.0-)
Code also — inherited from S61
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S61.259A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated wound infection
How long has S61.259A existed?
S61.259A 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.