2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S08.121APartial traumatic amputation of right ear, initial encounter
ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S00-S09›S08
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- 7th Character A — Initial Encounter
- Chronic Condition
S08.121A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for partial traumatic amputation 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as open wound of right external ear. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Amputation of other body parts, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Open wound of right external ear
- Traumatic amputation of ear
- Traumatic amputation of right ear
- Traumatic partial amputation of external ear
- Traumatic partial amputation of right ear
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Avulsion and traumatic amputation of part of head (S08). 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 S08.121A: its own notes plus those printed at S08, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 S08
- Ainitial encounter this code
- Dsubsequent encounter
- Ssequela
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.
Referenced in Other NotesGuidance
Instructional notes printed at other codes that name S08.121A, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes2 2
These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming S08.121A: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Ear Disorders
An ear disorder is any condition that changes or harms the shape or structure of your ear. This can include abnormal ear shapes you're born with, injuries that change your ear's shape, and a growth on or in the ear.
The full article covers:
- What is an ear disorder?
- What causes ear disorders?
- What are the symptoms of ear disorders?
- How are ear disorders diagnosed?
- How are ear disorders treated?
- Can ear disorders be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S08.121A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S08.121AOverview
What is the ICD-10 code for partial traumatic amputation of right ear, initial encounter?
The ICD-10-CM code for partial traumatic amputation of right ear, initial encounter is S08.121A (sometimes written as S08121A). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is S08.121A (Partial traumatic amputation of right ear) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report partial traumatic amputation of right ear, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character A in S08.121A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for partial traumatic amputation of right ear, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S08.121A group to?
When partial traumatic amputation of right ear, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 156, 964, 965, 155, 154, 963, with relative weights from 0.6656 to 2.6361 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S08.121A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, partial traumatic amputation of right ear, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 872.01 (open wound of auricle). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
