2027 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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 the other POA exempt codes in Injuries to the head (S00-S09).
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 2027, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to S03.8XXS: its own notes plus those printed at S03, block S00-S09, and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.
Includes
Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.
- avulsion of joint (capsule) or ligament of head
- laceration of cartilage, joint (capsule) or ligament of head
- sprain of cartilage, joint (capsule) or ligament of head
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of head
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of head
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of head
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament of head
- injuries of ear
- injuries of eye
- injuries of face [any part]
- injuries of gum
- injuries of jaw
- injuries of oral cavity
- injuries of palate
- injuries of periocular area
- injuries of scalp
- injuries of temporomandibular joint area
- injuries of tongue
- injuries of tooth
Excludes2
Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.
- Strain of muscle or tendon of head (S09.1)
- burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
- effects of foreign body in ear (T16)
- effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3)
- effects of foreign body in mouth NOS (T18.0)
- effects of foreign body in nose (T17.0-T17.1)
- effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2)
- effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)
- frostbite (T33-T34)
- insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
Use Additional Code
Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Code Also
A second code may be needed to fully describe the condition; the note gives no sequencing direction.
- any associated open wound
- for any associated infection
Notes
General instructions on how these codes are used.
- Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
- The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.
7th Character
Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S03
- Ainitial encounter
- Dsubsequent encounter
- Ssequela this code
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.
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
What is the ICD-10 code for sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, sequela?
The ICD-10-CM code for sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, sequela is S03.8XXS (sometimes written as S038XXS). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
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, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
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 563, 562, with relative weights from 0.8982 to 1.3981 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. The code appears in the Injuries to the head (S00-S09) range of the CMS exempt list.
