Is S53.032 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. S53.032 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does S53.032 sit in the tabular list?

Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), in the block Injuries to the elbow and forearm (S50-S59).

What cannot be coded together with S53.032?

S53.032 carries Excludes1 notes, which means the conditions they list can never be coded together with it on the same encounter. Some are written on the categories above S53.032 (S53.0) and apply to it just the same.

S53.032

S53.032 — Nursemaid's elbow, left elbow

Non-billable headerICD-10-CMleft

S53.032 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for nursemaid's elbow, left elbow. 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 S53

A: initial encounter
D: subsequent encounter
S: sequela

Excludes1 inherited from the categories above S53.032

These are not written on S53.032, but they bind it: a note on a category applies to every code beneath it. Billing S53.032 with anything listed here is a denial.

Written on S53.0 — Subluxation and dislocation of radial head

Monteggia's fracture-dislocation (S52.27-)

Excludes2 inherited from the categories above S53.032

Also inherited, and the opposite of Excludes1: these conditions are not part of S53.032, but a patient can have both, so you may code both.

Written on S53 — Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow

strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level (S56.-)

Risk adjustment

S53.032 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 history

S53.032 has not changed since FY2024 — no addition, revision or deletion across the three most recent ICD-10-CM releases.

Code to one of these instead S53.032

3 child codes. Green means billable.

Related codes at this level

Codes that share S53.03. If S53.032 is not quite right, the correct code is usually one of these.

Questions about S53.032

Is S53.032 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. S53.032 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does S53.032 sit in the tabular list?: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), in the block Injuries to the elbow and forearm (S50-S59).
What cannot be coded together with S53.032?: S53.032 carries Excludes1 notes, which means the conditions they list can never be coded together with it on the same encounter. Some are written on the categories above S53.032 (S53.0) and apply to it just the same.