MCMCB Pro
S03

S03Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

S03 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below. This code also requires a 7th character before it is complete.

This code requires a 7th character

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S03

A
initial encounter
D
subsequent encounter
S
sequela

Excludes2 — not included here, but may coexist

The excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient can have both. You may code both.

  • Strain of muscle or tendon of head (S09.1)

Code also

Both codes may be needed to describe the encounter fully. Sequencing depends on the reason for the visit.

  • any associated open wound

Includes

Conditions this code covers.

  • avulsion of joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • laceration of cartilage, joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • sprain of cartilage, joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic tear of joint or ligament of head

Risk adjustment

S03 does not map to an HCC and does not risk-adjust under CMS-HCC V28. That is normal — most ICD-10 codes do not. It still needs to be coded correctly; it just will not move a RAF score.

Code to one of these instead S03

6 child codes. Green means billable.

Questions about S03

Is S03 a billable ICD-10-CM code?
No. S03 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does S03 sit in the tabular list?
Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), in the block Injuries to the head (S00-S09).
ICD-10-CMFY2026-Apr· effective April 1, 2026

Loaded directly from the CMS/NCHS ICD-10-CM public-domain release — see data sources and our editorial policy. If this page disagrees with the CMS tabular list, this page is wrong. Reference information for professional coders; not medical or billing advice.