Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S21.3

Open wound of front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity

ICD-10-CM Code:
S21.3
ICD-10 Code for:
Open wound of front wall of thorax w penet thoracic cavity
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)

S21.3 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of open wound of front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity. 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 Open wound of front wall of thorax w penet thoracic cavity

Non-specific codes like S21.3 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 open wound of front wall of thorax w penet thoracic cavity:

  • S21.30 for Unspecified open wound of front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.301 for Unspecified open wound of right front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.301A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.301D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.301S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.302 for Unspecified open wound of left front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.302A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.302D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.302S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.309 for Unspecified open wound of unspecified front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.309A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.309D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.309S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.31 for Laceration without foreign body of front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.311 for Laceration without foreign body of right front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.311A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.311D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.311S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.312 for Laceration without foreign body of left front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.312A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.312D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.312S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.319 for Laceration without foreign body of unspecified front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.319A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.319D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.319S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.32 for Laceration with foreign body of front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.321 for Laceration with foreign body of right front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.321A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.321D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.321S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.322 for Laceration with foreign body of left front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.322A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.322D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.322S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.329 for Laceration with foreign body of unspecified front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.329A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.329D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.329S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.33 for Puncture wound without foreign body of front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.331 for Puncture wound without foreign body of right front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.331A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.331D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.331S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.332 for Puncture wound without foreign body of left front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.332A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.332D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.332S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.339 for Puncture wound without foreign body of unspecified front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.339A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.339D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.339S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.34 for Puncture wound with foreign body of front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.341 for Puncture wound with foreign body of right front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.341A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.341D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.341S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.342 for Puncture wound with foreign body of left front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.342A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.342D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.342S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.349 for Puncture wound with foreign body of unspecified front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.349A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.349D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.349S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.35 for Open bite of front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.351 for Open bite of right front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.351A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.351D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.351S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.352 for Open bite of left front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.352A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.352D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.352S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.359 for Open bite of unspecified front wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.359A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.359D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.359S 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

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.
  • Open wound of chest with penetration into thoracic cavity

Patient Education


Animal Bites

Wild animals usually avoid people. They might attack, however, if they feel threatened, are sick, or are protecting their young or territory. Attacks by pets are more common. Animal bites rarely are life-threatening, but if they become infected, you can develop serious medical problems.

To prevent animal bites and complications from bites:

  • Never pet, handle, or feed unknown animals
  • Leave snakes alone
  • Watch your children closely around animals
  • Vaccinate your cats, ferrets, and dogs against rabies
  • Spay or neuter your dog to make it less aggressive
  • Get a tetanus booster if you have not had one recently
  • Wear boots and long pants when you are in areas with venomous snakes

If an animal bites you, clean the wound with soap and water as soon as possible. Get medical attention if necessary.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


[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.