2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S14.124ACentral cord syndrome at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S10-S19›S14

ICD-10-CM S14.124A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S14.124A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for central cord syndrome at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, 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 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as central cord syndrome of cervical spinal cord at C1-4 level due to injury without spinal bony injury. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spinal cord injury (SCI), initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S14.124A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Central cord syndrome at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter
Short Description
Central cord syndrome at C4, init
Parent Code
S14.124
Central cord syndrome at C4 level of cervical spinal cord

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS10-S19Injuries to the neck
CategoryS14Injury of nerves and spinal cord at neck level
This CodeS14.124ACentral cord syndrome at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Central cord syndrome of cervical spinal cord at C1-4 level due to injury without spinal bony injury
  • Central cord syndrome of cervical spinal cord at C4 level
  • Incomplete spinal cord lesion at C1-C4 level without bone injury

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of nerves and spinal cord at neck level (S14). 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 INJ009
Spinal cord injury (SCI), initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Convert S14.124A to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
952.03 Central cord synd/c1-c4
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 S14.124AOverview

Is S14.124A (Central cord syndrome at C4 level of cervical spinal cord) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report central cord syndrome at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S14.124A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for central cord syndrome at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S14.124A group to?

When central cord syndrome at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 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 S14.124A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, central cord syndrome at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 952.03 (central cord synd/c1-c4). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.