Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S12.1

Fracture of second cervical vertebra

ICD-10-CM Code:
S12.1
ICD-10 Code for:
Fracture of second cervical vertebra
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the neck
      (S10-S19)
      • Fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck
        (S12)

S12.1 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of fracture of second cervical vertebra. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Fracture of second cervical vertebra

Non-specific codes like S12.1 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for fracture of second cervical vertebra:

  • S12.10 for Unspecified fracture of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.100 for Unspecified displaced fracture of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.100A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.100B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.100D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.100G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.100K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.100S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.101 for Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.101A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.101B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.101D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.101G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.101K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.101S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.11 for Type II dens fracture - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.110 for Anterior displaced Type II dens fracture - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.110A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.110B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.110D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.110G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.110K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.110S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.111 for Posterior displaced Type II dens fracture - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.111A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.111B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.111D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.111G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.111K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.111S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.112 for Nondisplaced Type II dens fracture - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.112A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.112B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.112D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.112G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.112K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.112S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.12 for Other dens fracture - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.120 for Other displaced dens fracture - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.120A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.120B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.120D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.120G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.120K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.120S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.121 for Other nondisplaced dens fracture - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.121A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.121B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.121D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.121G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.121K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.121S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.13 for Unspecified traumatic spondylolisthesis of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.130 for Unspecified traumatic displaced spondylolisthesis of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.130A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.130B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.130D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.130G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.130K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.130S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.131 for Unspecified traumatic nondisplaced spondylolisthesis of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.131A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.131B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.131D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.131G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.131K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.131S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.14 for Type III traumatic spondylolisthesis of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.14XA for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.14XB for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.14XD for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.14XG for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.14XK for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.14XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.15 for Other traumatic spondylolisthesis of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.150 for Other traumatic displaced spondylolisthesis of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.150A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.150B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.150D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.150G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.150K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.150S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.151 for Other traumatic nondisplaced spondylolisthesis of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.151A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.151B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.151D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.151G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.151K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.151S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.19 for Other fracture of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.190 for Other displaced fracture of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.190A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.190B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.190D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.190G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.190K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.190S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.191 for Other nondisplaced fracture of second cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.191A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.191B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.191D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.191G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.191K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.191S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The principles of multiple coding of injuries should be followed in coding fractures. Fractures of specified sites are coded individually by site nd the level of detail furnished by medical record content.

A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed. A fracture not indicated whether displaced or not displaced should be coded to displaced.

Initial vs. Subsequent Encounter for Fractures

Traumatic fractures are coded using the appropriate 7th character for initial encounter (A, B, C) for each encounter where the patient is receiving active treatment for the fracture. The appropriate 7th character for initial encounter should also be assigned for a patient who delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion.

Fractures are coded using the appropriate 7th character for subsequent care for encounters after the patient has completed active treatment of the fracture and is receiving routine care for the fracture during the healing or recovery phase.

Care for complications of surgical treatment for fracture repairs during the healing or recovery phase should be coded with the appropriate complication codes.

Care of complications of fractures, such as malunion and nonunion, should be reported with the appropriate 7th character for subsequent care with nonunion (K, M, N,) or subsequent care with malunion (P, Q, R).

Malunion/nonunion: The appropriate 7th character for initial encounter should also be assigned for a patient who delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion.

The open fracture designations in the assignment of the 7th character for fractures of the forearm, femur and lower leg, including ankle are based on the Gustilo open fracture classification. When the Gustilo classification type is not specified for an open fracture, the 7th character for open fracture type I or II should be assigned (B, E, H, M, Q).

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Axis

Patient Education


Fractures

A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone.

Symptoms of a fracture are:

  • Intense pain
  • Deformity - the limb looks out of place
  • Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injury
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Problems moving a limb

You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. An x-ray can tell if your bone is broken. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Neck Injuries and Disorders

Any part of your neck - muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves - can cause neck problems. Neck pain is very common. Pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head, or upper arms.

Muscle strain or tension often causes neck pain. The problem is usually overuse, such as from sitting at a computer for too long. Sometimes you can strain your neck muscles from sleeping in an awkward position or overdoing it during exercise. Falls or accidents, including car accidents, are another common cause of neck pain. Whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck, is also called neck sprain or strain.

Treatment depends on the cause, but may include applying ice, taking pain relievers, getting physical therapy or wearing a cervical collar. You rarely need surgery.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.