2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S01.351AOpen bite of right ear, initial encounter
S01.351A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for open bite of right ear, 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 154 through 156, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as animal bite of ear region. 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.
- Animal bite of ear region
- Bite wound of external ear
- Bite wound of right external ear
- Dog bite of ear region
- Open wound of right ear due to dog bite
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
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.
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Convert S01.351A to ICD-9-CMHistory
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S01.351AOverview
Is S01.351A (Open bite of right ear) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report open bite of right ear, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S01.351A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for open bite of right ear, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S01.351A group to?
When open bite of right ear, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S01.351A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, open bite of right ear, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 872.01 (open wound of auricle) and 872.02 (opn wound auditory canal). 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.
