Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S00.4

Superficial injury of ear

ICD-10-CM Code:
S00.4
ICD-10 Code for:
Superficial injury of ear
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the head
      (S00-S09)
      • Superficial injury of head
        (S00)

S00.4 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 ear. 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 Superficial injury of ear

Non-specific codes like S00.4 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 ear:

  • S00.40 for Unspecified superficial injury of ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.401 for Unspecified superficial injury of right ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.401A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.401D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.401S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.402 for Unspecified superficial injury of left ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.402A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.402D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.402S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.409 for Unspecified superficial injury of unspecified ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.409A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.409D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.409S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.41 for Abrasion of ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.411 for Abrasion of right ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.411A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.411D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.411S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.412 for Abrasion of left ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.412A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.412D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.412S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.419 for Abrasion of unspecified ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.419A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.419D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.419S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.42 for Blister (nonthermal) of ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.421 for Blister (nonthermal) of right ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.421A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.421D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.421S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.422 for Blister (nonthermal) of left ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.422A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.422D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.422S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.429 for Blister (nonthermal) of unspecified ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.429A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.429D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.429S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.43 for Contusion of ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.431 for Contusion of right ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.431A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.431D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.431S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.432 for Contusion of left ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.432A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.432D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.432S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.439 for Contusion of unspecified ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.439A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.439D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.439S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.44 for External constriction of ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.441 for External constriction of right ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.441A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.441D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.441S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.442 for External constriction of left ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.442A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.442D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.442S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.449 for External constriction of unspecified ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.449A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.449D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.449S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.45 for Superficial foreign body of ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.451 for Superficial foreign body of right ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.451A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.451D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.451S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.452 for Superficial foreign body of left ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.452A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.452D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.452S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.459 for Superficial foreign body of unspecified ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.459A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.459D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.459S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.46 for Insect bite (nonvenomous) of ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.461 for Insect bite (nonvenomous) of right ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.461A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.461D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.461S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.462 for Insect bite (nonvenomous) of left ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.462A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.462D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.462S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.469 for Insect bite (nonvenomous) of unspecified ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.469A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.469D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.469S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.47 for Other superficial bite of ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.471 for Other superficial bite of right ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.471A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.471D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.471S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.472 for Other superficial bite of left ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.472A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.472D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.472S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S00.479 for Other superficial bite of unspecified ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.479A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.479D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S00.479S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Superficial injury of head (S00). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Patient Education


Ear Disorders

Your ear has three main parts: outer, middle and inner. You use all of them in hearing. Sound waves come in through your outer ear. They reach your middle ear, where they make your eardrum vibrate. The vibrations are transmitted through three tiny bones, called ossicles, in your middle ear. The vibrations travel to your inner ear, a snail-shaped organ. The inner ear makes the nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. Your brain recognizes them as sounds. The inner ear also controls balance.

A variety of conditions may affect your hearing or balance:

  • Ear infections are the most common illness in infants and young children.
  • Tinnitus, a roaring in your ears, can be the result of loud noises, medicines or a variety of other causes.
  • Meniere's disease may be the result of fluid problems in your inner ear; its symptoms include tinnitus and dizziness.
  • Ear barotrauma is an injury to your ear because of changes in barometric (air) or water pressure.

Some ear disorders can result in hearing disorders and deafness.


[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.