S51.8
S51.8: Open wound of forearm
Non-billable headerICD-10-CM
S51.8 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for open wound of forearm. 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 S51
- 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.
- open wound of elbow (S51.0-)
Excludes1 inherited from the categories above S51.8
A category’s note binds every code beneath it.
Excludes2 inherited from the categories above S51.8
Not part of this code, but both may be coded when both are present.
Other codes that can never be billed with S51.8
Their own Excludes1 notes name this code, so the conflict is not listed above.
- S50.87Other superficial bite of forearm
Risk adjustment
No CMS-HCC V28 category: this code does not change a RAF score.
Code history
Unchanged in every release from FY2024 to FY2027.
Code to one of these instead S51.8
6 child codes. Green means billable.