2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S03.8XXSSprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, sequela
S03.8XXS is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 562 through 563. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Injury, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
S03.8XXS is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
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.
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 S03.8XXS to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S03.8XXSOverview
Is S03.8XXS (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, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in S03.8XXS mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does S03.8XXS group to?
When sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 562, 563, with relative weights from 0.8955 to 1.4248 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is S03.8XXS exempt from POA reporting?
Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, sequela on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S03.8XXS?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, sequela converts to ICD-9-CM 905.7 (late effec sprain/strain). 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.
