2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S13.131ADislocation of C2/C3 cervical vertebrae, initial encounter
S13.131A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for dislocation of C2/C3 cervical vertebrae, 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 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 551 through 552, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as arthropathy of cervical spine facet joint. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Dislocations, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Arthropathy of cervical spine facet joint
- Closed dislocation C2/C3
- Closed traumatic dislocation of cervical vertebra
- Closed traumatic dislocation of second cervical vertebra
- Dislocation of cervical facet joint
- Facet joint injury
- Open dislocation C2/C3
- Open dislocation of second cervical vertebra
- Open dislocation of third cervical vertebra
- Traumatic dislocation of second and third cervical vertebra
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments at neck level (S13). 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
Dislocations
Dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position. The cause is often a fall or a blow, sometimes from playing a contact sport. You can dislocate your ankles, knees, shoulders, hips, elbows and jaw. You can also dislocate your finger and toe joints.
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Convert S13.131A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S13.131AOverview
Is S13.131A (Dislocation of C2/C3 cervical vertebrae) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report dislocation of C2/C3 cervical vertebrae, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S13.131A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for dislocation of C2/C3 cervical vertebrae, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S13.131A group to?
When dislocation of C2/C3 cervical vertebrae, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 551, 552, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.9405 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S13.131A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, dislocation of C2/C3 cervical vertebrae, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 839.03 (disloc 3rd cerv vert-cl). 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.
