2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S13.4XXASprain of ligaments of cervical spine, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S10-S19›S13

ICD-10-CM S13.4XXA
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S13.4XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sprains and strains, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S13.4XXA
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, initial encounter
Short Description
Sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, initial encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
S13.4
Sprain of ligaments of cervical spine

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS10-S19Injuries to the neck
CategoryS13Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments at neck level
This CodeS13.4XXASprain of ligaments of cervical spine, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acute cervical sprain
  • Acute headache
  • Acute headache due to whiplash injury
  • Acute pain due to injury
  • Acute posttraumatic headache
  • Atlantoaxial joint sprain
  • Cervical anterior longitudinal ligament sprain
  • Cervical spine sprain
  • Injury of muscle of neck
  • Injury to ligament of cervical spine
  • Neck pain co-occurrent with neck stiffness following whiplash injury to neck
  • Neck pain co-occurrent with neurological deficit following whiplash injury to neck
  • Neck pain co-occurrent with tenderness of neck following whiplash injury to neck
  • Neck sprain
  • Neurological deficit
  • Posttraumatic headache
  • Sprain of spinal ligament
  • Stiff neck
  • Tenderness of neck
  • Traumatic torticollis
  • Whiplash injury to neck
  • Whiplash shaken infant syndrome

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.

CCSR INJ024
Sprains and strains, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Neck Sprain

    stretching or tearing of ligaments in the neck.

Patient EducationClinical

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert S13.4XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
847.0 Sprain of neck
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About S13.4XXAOverview

Is S13.4XXA (Sprain of ligaments of cervical spine) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S13.4XXA mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S13.4XXA group to?

When sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, 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 S13.4XXA?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sprain of ligaments of cervical spine, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 847.0 (sprain of neck). 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.