Is S24 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. S24 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does S24 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).

S24

S24 — Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

S24 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level. 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 S24

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.

injury of brachial plexus (S14.3)

Code also

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

any associated:
fracture of thoracic vertebra (S22.0-)
open wound of thorax (S21.-)
transient paralysis (R29.5)

Notes

Additional guidance from the ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Code to highest level of thoracic spinal cord injury
Injuries to the spinal cord (S24.0 and S24.1) refer to the cord level and not bone level injury, and can affect nerve roots at and below the level given.

Other codes that can never be billed with S24

These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at S24. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading S24 alone.

G83.8Other specified paralytic syndromes

Risk adjustment

S24 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 S24

7 child codes. Green means billable.

Questions about S24

Is S24 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. S24 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does S24 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).