S96.829A — Laceration of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot, initial encounter
Is S96.829A billable?
Yes, but S96.829A will trip a Medicare edit. S96.829A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, CMS lists S96.829A 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
- S96.001AUnspecified injury of muscle and tendon of long flexor muscle of toe at ankle and foot level, right foot, initial encounter
- S96.101AUnspecified injury of muscle and tendon of long extensor muscle of toe at ankle and foot level, right foot, initial encounter
- S96.201AUnspecified injury of intrinsic muscle and tendon at ankle and foot level, right foot, initial encounter
S96.829A at a glance
| Code | S96.829A |
|---|---|
| Description | Laceration of other specified muscles and tendons at ankle and foot level, unspecified foot, 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 S96.829A?
In S96.829A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S96.829A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
What Medicare edits apply to S96.829A?
The Medicare Code Editor screens inpatient claims before they are grouped. These edits name S96.829A 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 S96.829A group to?
S96.829A 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.
- 564Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCCmedical
- 565Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CCmedical
- 566Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, S96.829A is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.
How is S96.829A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S96.82, the nearest indexed parent of S96.829A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Injury › muscle › foot › specified › site NEC › laceration
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S96.829A to fully describe the condition. S96.829A 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 S96.829A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S96.829A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S90-S99
The conditions below are not part of S96.829A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S96.829A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S96
The conditions below are not part of S96.829A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S96.829A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Code also — inherited from S96
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S96.829A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated open wound (S91.-)
How long has S96.829A existed?
S96.829A 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.