S79.139D — Salter-Harris Type III physeal fracture of lower end of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
Is S79.139D billable?
Yes, but S79.139D is an unspecified code. S79.139D is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S79.139D 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 S79.139D — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
S79.139D at a glance
| Code | S79.139D |
|---|---|
| Description | Salter-Harris Type III physeal fracture of lower end of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "D" | subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing |
What does the 7th character "D" mean in S79.139D?
In S79.139D, the 7th character D means subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing. The 7th character is required for S79.139D to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
- Ainitial encounter for closed fractureS79.139A
- Dsubsequent encounter for fracture with routine healingS79.139D
- Gsubsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healingS79.139G
- Ksubsequent encounter for fracture with nonunionS79.139K
- Psubsequent encounter for fracture with malunionS79.139P
- SsequelaS79.139S
Which MS-DRGs does S79.139D group to?
S79.139D 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 S79.139D listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S79.13, the nearest indexed parent of S79.139D. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Fracture, traumatic › femur, femoral › lower end › physeal › Salter-Harris › Type III (abduction) (adduction) (separation)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S79.139D to fully describe the condition. S79.139D 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 S79.139D, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S79.139D and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S70-S79
The conditions below are not part of S79.139D, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S79.139D and the excluded code may both be reported.
How long has S79.139D existed?
S79.139D 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.