2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S50.359

Superficial foreign body of unspecified elbow

ICD-10-CM Code:
S50.359
ICD-10 Code for:
Superficial foreign body of unspecified elbow
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the elbow and forearm
      (S50-S59)
      • Superficial injury of elbow and forearm
        (S50)

S50.359 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of superficial foreign body of unspecified elbow. 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.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S50.359 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Superficial foreign body of unspecified elbow

Non-specific codes like S50.359 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 superficial foreign body of unspecified elbow:

  • Use S50.359A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S50.359D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S50.359S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Foreign body in skin of elbow
  • Foreign body in skin of elbow
  • Foreign body in skin of elbow with infection
  • Splinter of elbow, without major open wound
  • Splinter of elbow, without major open wound
  • Splinter of elbow, without major open wound, infected
  • Superficial injury of elbow with infection
  • Wood splinter in elbow

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Superficial injury of elbow and forearm (S50). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

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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.