S62.659B — Nondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of unspecified finger, initial encounter for open fracture
Is S62.659B billable?
Yes, but S62.659B will trip a Medicare edit. S62.659B is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, CMS lists S62.659B 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
- S62.650BNondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of right index finger, initial encounter for open fracture
- S62.651BNondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of left index finger, initial encounter for open fracture
- S62.652BNondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of right middle finger, initial encounter for open fracture
- S62.653BNondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of left middle finger, initial encounter for open fracture
- S62.654BNondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of right ring finger, initial encounter for open fracture
- S62.655BNondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of left ring finger, initial encounter for open fracture
- S62.656BNondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of right little finger, initial encounter for open fracture
- S62.657BNondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of left little finger, initial encounter for open fracture
- S62.658BNondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of other finger, initial encounter for open fracture
S62.659B at a glance
| Code | S62.659B |
|---|---|
| Description | Nondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of unspecified finger, initial encounter for open fracture |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "B" | initial encounter for open fracture |
What does the 7th character "B" mean in S62.659B?
In S62.659B, the 7th character B means initial encounter for open fracture. The 7th character is required for S62.659B to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
- Ainitial encounter for closed fractureS62.659A
- Binitial encounter for open fractureS62.659B
- Dsubsequent encounter for fracture with routine healingS62.659D
- Gsubsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healingS62.659G
- Ksubsequent encounter for fracture with nonunionS62.659K
- Psubsequent encounter for fracture with malunionS62.659P
- SsequelaS62.659S
What Medicare edits apply to S62.659B?
The Medicare Code Editor screens inpatient claims before they are grouped. These edits name S62.659B 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 S62.659B group to?
S62.659B 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, S62.659B is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG. It also carries Hospital-Acquired Condition category 05.
How is S62.659B listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S62.65, the nearest indexed parent of S62.659B. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Fracture, traumatic › finger › middle phalanx › nondisplaced (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
- Fracture, traumatic › finger › index › middle phalanx › nondisplaced (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
- Fracture, traumatic › finger › little › middle phalanx › nondisplaced (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
- Fracture, traumatic › finger › middle › middle phalanx › nondisplaced (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
- Fracture, traumatic › finger › ring › middle phalanx › nondisplaced (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S62
The conditions below can never be reported together with S62.659B 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 wrist and hand (S68.-)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S62.659B to fully describe the condition. S62.659B 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 S62.659B, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S62.659B and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S60-S69
The conditions below are not part of S62.659B, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S62.659B and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S62
The conditions below are not part of S62.659B, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S62.659B and the excluded code may both be reported.
- fracture of distal parts of ulna and radius (S52.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S62.6
The conditions below are not part of S62.659B, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S62.659B and the excluded code may both be reported.
- fracture of thumb (S62.5-)
How long has S62.659B existed?
S62.659B has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
- FY2019Nondisplaced fracture of medial phalanx of unspecified finger, initial encounter for open fractureNondisplaced fracture of middle phalanx of unspecified finger, initial encounter for open fracture
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.