2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S14.154AOther incomplete lesion at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter
S14.154A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other incomplete lesion 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 incomplete spinal cord lesion at C1-C4 level without bone injury. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spinal cord injury (SCI), initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Incomplete spinal cord lesion at C1-C4 level without bone injury
- Injury at C1-C4 level with spinal cord injury AND without bone injury
- Posterior cervical spinal cord injury, without spinal bone injury, C1-4
- Posterior cord syndrome of cervical spinal cord at C4 level
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.
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.
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Convert S14.154A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S14.154AOverview
Is S14.154A (Other incomplete lesion at C4 level of cervical spinal cord) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report other incomplete lesion 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 S14.154A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for other incomplete lesion at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S14.154A group to?
When other incomplete lesion 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 S14.154A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, other incomplete lesion at C4 level of cervical spinal cord, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 952.04 (C1-c4 spin cord inj NEC). 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.
