S68.719A — Complete traumatic transmetacarpal amputation of unspecified hand, initial encounter
Is S68.719A billable?
Yes, but S68.719A will trip a Medicare edit. S68.719A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, CMS lists S68.719A 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.
S68.719A at a glance
| Code | S68.719A |
|---|---|
| Description | Complete traumatic transmetacarpal amputation of unspecified hand, 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 S68.719A?
In S68.719A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S68.719A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
What Medicare edits apply to S68.719A?
The Medicare Code Editor screens inpatient claims before they are grouped. These edits name S68.719A 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 S68.719A group to?
S68.719A sits in MDC 21 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.
- 913Traumatic Injury with MCCmedical
- 914Traumatic Injury without MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, S68.719A is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.
How is S68.719A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S68.71, the nearest indexed parent of S68.719A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Amputation › traumatic › hand › transmetacarpal
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S68.719A to fully describe the condition. S68.719A 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 S68.719A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S68.719A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S60-S69
The conditions below are not part of S68.719A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S68.719A and the excluded code may both be reported.
How long has S68.719A existed?
S68.719A 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.