2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S14.149ABrown-Sequard syndrome at unspecified level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S10-S19›S14

ICD-10-CM S14.149A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S14.149A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Brown-Sequard syndrome at unspecified 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 Brown-Sequard syndrome of cervical spinal cord. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spinal cord injury (SCI), initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S14.149A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Brown-Sequard syndrome at unspecified level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter
Short Description
Brown-Sequard synd at unsp level of cerv spinal cord, init
Parent Code
S14.149
Brown-Sequard syndrome at unspecified 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 CodeS14.149ABrown-Sequard syndrome at unspecified level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Brown-Sequard syndrome of cervical spinal cord

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

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 S14.149A to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
952.9 Spinal cord injury NOS
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 S14.149AOverview

Is S14.149A a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report Brown-Sequard syndrome at unspecified 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 S14.149A mean?

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

What MS-DRG does S14.149A group to?

When Brown-Sequard syndrome at unspecified 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 S14.149A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, Brown-Sequard syndrome at unspecified level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 952.9 (spinal cord injury NOS). 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.