2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S14.9XXAInjury of unspecified nerves of neck, initial encounter
S14.9XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for injury of unspecified nerves of neck, 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 injuries of brain and cranial nerves with injuries of nerves and spinal cord at neck level. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Injury to nerves, muscles and tendons, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Injuries of brain and cranial nerves with injuries of nerves and spinal cord at neck level
- Injury of nerves and spinal cord at neck level
- Injury of superficial nerves of head AND/OR neck
- Multiple injuries of vertebral column region
- Multiple intracranial injuries
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 S14.9XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S14.9XXAOverview
Is S14.9XXA (Injury of unspecified nerves of neck) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report injury of unspecified nerves of neck, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S14.9XXA mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for injury of unspecified nerves of neck, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S14.9XXA group to?
When injury of unspecified nerves of neck, 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 S14.9XXA?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, injury of unspecified nerves of neck, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 957.1 (injury to nerve NEC), 957.8 (injury to mult nerves), and 957.9 (injury to nerve NOS). 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.
