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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code S20.9

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S20.9

Superficial injury of unspecified parts of thorax

ICD-10-CM Code:
S20.9
ICD-10 Code for:
Superficial injury of unspecified parts of thorax
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)
      • Superficial injury of thorax
        (S20)

S20.9 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 injury of unspecified parts of thorax. 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 S20.9 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 injury of unspecified parts of thorax

Non-specific codes like S20.9 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 injury of unspecified parts of thorax:

  • S20.90 for Unspecified superficial injury of unspecified parts of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.90XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.90XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.90XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S20.91 for Abrasion of unspecified parts of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.91XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.91XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.91XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S20.92 for Blister (nonthermal) of unspecified parts of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.92XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.92XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.92XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S20.94 for External constriction of unspecified parts of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.94XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.94XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.94XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S20.95 for Superficial foreign body of unspecified parts of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.95XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.95XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.95XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S20.96 for Insect bite (nonvenomous) of unspecified parts of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.96XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.96XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.96XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S20.97 for Other superficial bite of unspecified parts of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.97XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.97XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S20.97XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Superficial injury of thorax (S20). 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.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • contusion of thorax NOS S20.20

Patient Education


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.