Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S21.03

Puncture wound without foreign body of breast

ICD-10-CM Code:
S21.03
ICD-10 Code for:
Puncture wound without foreign body of breast
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the thorax
      (S20-S29)
      • Open wound of thorax
        (S21)

S21.03 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of puncture wound without foreign body of breast. 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 Puncture wound without foreign body of breast

Non-specific codes like S21.03 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 puncture wound without foreign body of breast:

  • S21.031 for Puncture wound without foreign body of right breast - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.031A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.031D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.031S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.032 for Puncture wound without foreign body of left breast - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.032A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.032D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.032S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.039 for Puncture wound without foreign body of unspecified breast - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.039A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.039D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.039S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of thorax (S21). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Patient Education


Breast Diseases

Most women experience breast changes at some time. Your age, hormone levels, and medicines you take may cause lumps, bumps, and discharges (fluids that are not breast milk).

If you have a breast lump, pain, discharge or skin irritation, see your health care provider. Minor and serious breast problems have similar symptoms. Although many women fear cancer, most breast problems are not cancer.

Some common breast changes are:

  • Fibrocystic breast changes - lumpiness, thickening and swelling, often just before a woman's period
  • Cysts - fluid-filled lumps
  • Fibroadenomas - solid, round, rubbery lumps that move easily when pushed, occurring most in younger women
  • Intraductal papillomas - growths similar to warts near the nipple
  • Blocked milk ducts
  • Milk production when a woman is not breastfeeding

NIH: National Cancer Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Wounds and Injuries

An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening. Injuries can happen at work or play, indoors or outdoors, driving a car, or walking across the street.

Wounds are injuries that break the skin or other body tissues. They include cuts, scrapes, scratches, and punctured skin. They often happen because of an accident, but surgery, sutures, and stitches also cause wounds. Minor wounds usually aren't serious, but it is important to clean them. Serious and infected wounds may require first aid followed by a visit to your doctor. You should also seek attention if the wound is deep, you cannot close it yourself, you cannot stop the bleeding or get the dirt out, or it does not heal.

Other common types of injuries include:

  • Animal bites
  • Bruises
  • Burns
  • Dislocations
  • Electrical injuries
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Sprains and strains

[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.