2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S00.252ASuperficial foreign body of left eyelid and periocular area, initial encounter
S00.252A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for superficial foreign body of left eyelid and periocular area, initial encounter. The 7th character A marks it as an initial encounter code, used while the patient is receiving active treatment. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 124 through 125, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as foreign body in skin of eye region. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Superficial injury; contusion, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Foreign body in skin of eye region
- Foreign body in skin of eyelid
- Foreign body in skin of left eyelid
- Foreign body on left external eye
- Superficial injury of left eyelid
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Superficial injury of head (S00). Use the following options for the applicable episode of care:
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Eye Injuries
The structure of your face helps protect your eyes from injury. Still, injuries can damage your eye, sometimes severely enough that you could lose your vision. Most eye injuries are preventable. If you play sports or work in certain jobs, you may need protection.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
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Convert S00.252A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S00.252AOverview
Is S00.252A (Superficial foreign body of left eyelid and periocular area) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report superficial foreign body of left eyelid and periocular area, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S00.252A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for superficial foreign body of left eyelid and periocular area, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S00.252A group to?
When superficial foreign body of left eyelid and periocular area, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 124, 125, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.7678 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S00.252A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, superficial foreign body of left eyelid and periocular area, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 918.0 (superfic inj periocular). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
