2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S61.259

Open bite of unspecified finger without damage to nail

ICD-10-CM Code:
S61.259
ICD-10 Code for:
Open bite of unspecified finger without damage to nail
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the wrist, hand and fingers
      (S60-S69)
      • Open wound of wrist, hand and fingers
        (S61)

S61.259 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 bite of unspecified finger without damage to nail. 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 S61.259 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 Open bite of unspecified finger without damage to nail

Non-specific codes like S61.259 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 bite of unspecified finger without damage to nail:

  • Use S61.259A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S61.259D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S61.259S 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:

  • Animal bite of finger
  • Dog bite of finger
  • Human bite of finger
  • Human bite of hand
  • Open bite of finger
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to cat bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to dog bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to human bite
  • Open wound of finger of right hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of finger of right hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of finger of right hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of finger of right hand due to bite
  • Open wound of finger of right hand due to bite
  • Open wound of finger of right hand due to bite
  • Open wound of finger of right hand due to bite
  • Open wound of finger of right hand due to cat bite
  • Open wound of finger of right hand due to dog bite
  • Open wound of finger of right hand due to human bite
  • Open wound of hand due to cat bite
  • Open wound of hand due to cat bite
  • Open wound of hand due to dog bite
  • Open wound of hand due to dog bite
  • Open wound of left hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of left hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of left hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of left hand due to cat bite
  • Open wound of left hand due to dog bite
  • Open wound of right hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of right hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of right hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of right hand due to cat bite
  • Open wound of right hand due to dog bite

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of wrist, hand and fingers (S61). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

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.