S71.149A — Puncture wound with foreign body, unspecified thigh, initial encounter
Is S71.149A billable?
Yes, but S71.149A is an unspecified code. S71.149A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S71.149A 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 S71.149A — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
S71.149A at a glance
| Code | S71.149A |
|---|---|
| Description | Puncture wound with foreign body, unspecified thigh, 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 S71.149A?
In S71.149A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S71.149A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S71.149A group to?
S71.149A 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
How is S71.149A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S71.149, the nearest indexed parent of S71.149A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Puncture › thigh › with foreign body
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S71
The conditions below can never be reported together with S71.149A 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 S71.149A to fully describe the condition. S71.149A 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 S71.149A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S71.149A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S70-S79
The conditions below are not part of S71.149A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S71.149A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S71
The conditions below are not part of S71.149A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S71.149A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Code also — inherited from S71
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S71.149A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated wound infection
How long has S71.149A existed?
S71.149A 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.