2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S01.03XAPuncture wound without foreign body of scalp, initial encounter
S01.03XA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for puncture wound without foreign body of scalp, 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 604 through 605, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as needle stick injury of head. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Open wounds of head and neck, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Needle stick injury of head
- Needle stick of scalp
- Pellet wound of head
- Pellet wound of scalp
- Puncture wound of scalp
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of head (S01). 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
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.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S01.03XA to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S01.03XAOverview
Is S01.03XA (Puncture wound without foreign body of scalp) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report puncture wound without foreign body of scalp, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S01.03XA mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for puncture wound without foreign body of scalp, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S01.03XA group to?
When puncture wound without foreign body of scalp, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 604, 605, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.9160 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S01.03XA?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, puncture wound without foreign body of scalp, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 873.0 (open wound of scalp). 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.
