2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S09
Other and unspecified injuries of head
- ICD-10-CM Code:
- S09
- ICD-10 Code for:
- Other and unspecified injuries of head
- Is Billable?
- Not Valid for Submission
- Code Navigator:
S09 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity from the list below for a diagnosis of other and unspecified injuries of head. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.
Unspecified diagnosis codes like S09 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.
Specific Coding Applicable to Other and unspecified injuries of head
Non-specific codes like S09 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following billable codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for other and unspecified injuries of head:
S09.0 for Injury of blood vessels of head, not elsewhere classified
S09.1 for Injury of muscle and tendon of head
S09.10 for Unspecified injury of muscle and tendon of head
S09.11 for Strain of muscle and tendon of head
S09.12 for Laceration of muscle and tendon of head
S09.19 for Other specified injury of muscle and tendon of head
S09.2 for Traumatic rupture of ear drum
S09.20 for Traumatic rupture of unspecified ear drum
S09.21 for Traumatic rupture of right ear drum
S09.22 for Traumatic rupture of left ear drum
S09.3 for Other specified and unspecified injury of middle and inner ear
S09.30 for Unspecified injury of middle and inner ear
S09.31 for Primary blast injury of ear
S09.39 for Other specified injury of middle and inner ear
S09.8 for Other specified injuries of head
S09.9 for Unspecified injury of face and head
S09.90 for Unspecified injury of head
S09.91 for Unspecified injury of ear
S09.92 for Unspecified injury of nose
S09.93 for Unspecified injury of face
Coding Guidelines
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Other and unspecified injuries of head (S09). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.
7th Character Note
7th Character NoteCertain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S09
7th Character
7th CharacterIndicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Patient Education
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.
Head injuries can be open or closed. A closed injury does not break through the skull. With an open, or penetrating, injury, an object pierces the skull and enters the brain. Closed injuries are not always less severe than open injuries.
Some common causes of head injuries are falls, motor vehicle accidents, violence, and sports injuries.
It is important to know the warning signs of a moderate or severe head injury. Get help immediately if the injured person has:
- A headache that gets worse or does not go away
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- An inability to wake up
- Dilated (enlarged) pupil in one or both eyes
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
- Loss of coordination
- Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
Doctors use a neurologic exam and imaging tests to make a diagnosis. Treatment depends on the type of injury and how severe it is.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Code History
- FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
- FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
- FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
- FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
- FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
- FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
- FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
- FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
- FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
- FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
- FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.
