2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S03.8XXASprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S00-S09›S03

ICD-10-CM S03.8XXA
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S03.8XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, 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 564 through 566, 963 through 965. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sprains and strains, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S03.8XXA
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, initial encounter
Short Description
Sprain of joints and ligaments of oth prt head, init encntr
Parent Code
S03.8
Sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS00-S09Injuries to the head
CategoryS03Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head
This CodeS03.8XXASprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, initial encounter

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head (S03). 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.

CCSR INJ024
Sprains and strains, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Head Injuries

Chances are you've bumped your head before. Often, the injury is minor because your skull is hard and it protects your brain. But other head injuries can be more severe, such as a skull fracture, concussion, or traumatic brain injury.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert S03.8XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
848.0 Sprain of nasal septum
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
848.8 Sprain NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About S03.8XXAOverview

Is S03.8XXA (Sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S03.8XXA mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S03.8XXA group to?

When sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 564, 565, 566, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.7493 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S03.8XXA?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 848.0 (sprain of nasal septum) and 848.8 (sprain NEC). 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.