2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S13.160SSubluxation of C5/C6 cervical vertebrae, sequela
S13.160S is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for subluxation of C5/C6 cervical vertebrae, 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. Coders also document this condition as closed dislocation C5/C6. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Injury, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
S13.160S is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review the other POA exempt codes in Injuries to the neck (S10-S19).
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Closed dislocation C5/C6
- Closed subluxation C5/C6
- Open dislocation C5/C6
- Open dislocation of fifth cervical vertebra
- Open dislocation of sixth cervical vertebra
- Open subluxation C5/C6
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 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 S13.160S: its own notes plus those printed at S13.1, S13, block S10-S19, 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 or ligament at neck level
- laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament at neck level
- sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament at neck level
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament at neck level
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament at neck level
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament at neck level
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament at neck level
- injuries of nape
- injuries of supraclavicular region
- injuries of throat
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 at neck level (S16.1)
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
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 S13
- 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
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.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S13.160S to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S13.160SOverview
What is the ICD-10 code for subluxation of C5/C6 cervical vertebrae, sequela?
The ICD-10-CM code for subluxation of C5/C6 cervical vertebrae, sequela is S13.160S (sometimes written as S13160S). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is S13.160S (Subluxation of C5/C6 cervical vertebrae) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report subluxation of C5/C6 cervical vertebrae, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character S in S13.160S mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the subluxation of C5/C6 cervical vertebrae itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does S13.160S group to?
When subluxation of C5/C6 cervical vertebrae, 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 S13.160S 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 subluxation of C5/C6 cervical vertebrae, sequela on inpatient claims. The code appears in the Injuries to the neck (S10-S19) range of the CMS exempt list.
