Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S12.6

Fracture of seventh cervical vertebra

ICD-10-CM Code:
S12.6
ICD-10 Code for:
Fracture of seventh 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)

S12.6 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 seventh 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 seventh cervical vertebra

Non-specific codes like S12.6 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 seventh cervical vertebra:

  • S12.60 for Unspecified fracture of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.600 for Unspecified displaced fracture of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.600A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.600B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.600D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.600G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.600K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.600S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.601 for Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.601A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.601B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.601D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.601G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.601K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.601S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.63 for Unspecified traumatic spondylolisthesis of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.630 for Unspecified traumatic displaced spondylolisthesis of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.630A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.630B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.630D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.630G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.630K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.630S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.631 for Unspecified traumatic nondisplaced spondylolisthesis of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.631A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.631B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.631D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.631G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.631K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.631S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.64 for Type III traumatic spondylolisthesis of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.64XA for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.64XB for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.64XD for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.64XG for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.64XK for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.64XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.65 for Other traumatic spondylolisthesis of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.650 for Other traumatic displaced spondylolisthesis of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.650A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.650B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.650D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.650G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.650K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.650S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.651 for Other traumatic nondisplaced spondylolisthesis of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.651A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.651B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.651D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.651G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.651K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.651S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.69 for Other fracture of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.690 for Other displaced fracture of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.690A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.690B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.690D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.690G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.690K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.690S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.691 for Other nondisplaced fracture of seventh cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.691A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.691B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.691D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.691G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.691K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.691S 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).

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.