S22.4 — Multiple fractures of ribs
S22.4 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for multiple fractures of ribs. 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 S22
- A
- initial encounter for closed fracture
- B
- initial encounter for open fracture
- D
- subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
- G
- subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- K
- subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
- S
- sequela
Excludes1 — never code together
These conditions cannot occur together. Billing both on the same encounter is a denial.
- flail chest (S22.5-)
Inclusion terms
Alternative wordings a physician may use in the chart for this same code.
- Fractures of two or more ribs
Risk adjustment
S22.4 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 S22.4
4 child codes. Green means billable.
Related codes at this level
Codes that share S22. If S22.4 is not quite right, the correct code is usually one of these.
Questions about S22.4
- Is S22.4 a billable ICD-10-CM code?
- No. S22.4 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
- Where does S22.4 sit in the tabular list?
- Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), in the block Injuries to the thorax (S20-S29).
- What cannot be coded together with S22.4?
- S22.4 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.