Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S12.3

Fracture of fourth cervical vertebra

ICD-10-CM Code:
S12.3
ICD-10 Code for:
Fracture of fourth cervical vertebra
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the neck
      (S10-S19)
      • Fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck
        (S12)

S12.3 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of fracture of fourth cervical vertebra. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Fracture of fourth cervical vertebra

Non-specific codes like S12.3 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for fracture of fourth cervical vertebra:

  • S12.30 for Unspecified fracture of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.300 for Unspecified displaced fracture of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.300A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.300B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.300D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.300G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.300K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.300S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.301 for Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.301A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.301B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.301D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.301G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.301K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.301S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.33 for Unspecified traumatic spondylolisthesis of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.330 for Unspecified traumatic displaced spondylolisthesis of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.330A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.330B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.330D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.330G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.330K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.330S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.331 for Unspecified traumatic nondisplaced spondylolisthesis of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.331A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.331B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.331D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.331G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.331K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.331S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.34 for Type III traumatic spondylolisthesis of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.34XA for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.34XB for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.34XD for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.34XG for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.34XK for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.34XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.35 for Other traumatic spondylolisthesis of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.350 for Other traumatic displaced spondylolisthesis of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.350A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.350B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.350D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.350G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.350K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.350S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.351 for Other traumatic nondisplaced spondylolisthesis of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.351A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.351B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.351D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.351G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.351K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.351S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.39 for Other fracture of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.390 for Other displaced fracture of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.390A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.390B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.390D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.390G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.390K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.390S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.391 for Other nondisplaced fracture of fourth cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.391A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.391B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.391D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.391G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.391K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.391S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The principles of multiple coding of injuries should be followed in coding fractures. Fractures of specified sites are coded individually by site nd the level of detail furnished by medical record content.

A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed. A fracture not indicated whether displaced or not displaced should be coded to displaced.

Initial vs. Subsequent Encounter for Fractures

Traumatic fractures are coded using the appropriate 7th character for initial encounter (A, B, C) for each encounter where the patient is receiving active treatment for the fracture. The appropriate 7th character for initial encounter should also be assigned for a patient who delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion.

Fractures are coded using the appropriate 7th character for subsequent care for encounters after the patient has completed active treatment of the fracture and is receiving routine care for the fracture during the healing or recovery phase.

Care for complications of surgical treatment for fracture repairs during the healing or recovery phase should be coded with the appropriate complication codes.

Care of complications of fractures, such as malunion and nonunion, should be reported with the appropriate 7th character for subsequent care with nonunion (K, M, N,) or subsequent care with malunion (P, Q, R).

Malunion/nonunion: The appropriate 7th character for initial encounter should also be assigned for a patient who delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion.

The open fracture designations in the assignment of the 7th character for fractures of the forearm, femur and lower leg, including ankle are based on the Gustilo open fracture classification. When the Gustilo classification type is not specified for an open fracture, the 7th character for open fracture type I or II should be assigned (B, E, H, M, Q).

Patient Education


Fractures

A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone.

Symptoms of a fracture are:

  • Intense pain
  • Deformity - the limb looks out of place
  • Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injury
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Problems moving a limb

You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. An x-ray can tell if your bone is broken. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Neck Injuries and Disorders

Any part of your neck - muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves - can cause neck problems. Neck pain is very common. Pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head, or upper arms.

Muscle strain or tension often causes neck pain. The problem is usually overuse, such as from sitting at a computer for too long. Sometimes you can strain your neck muscles from sleeping in an awkward position or overdoing it during exercise. Falls or accidents, including car accidents, are another common cause of neck pain. Whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck, is also called neck sprain or strain.

Treatment depends on the cause, but may include applying ice, taking pain relievers, getting physical therapy or wearing a cervical collar. You rarely need surgery.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • 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.