2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S19.85XAOther specified injuries of pharynx and cervical esophagus, initial encounter
S19.85XA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other specified injuries of pharynx and cervical esophagus, 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 913 through 914, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as avulsion of oropharynx. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified injury.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Avulsion of oropharynx
- Injury of cervical esophagus
- Injury of oropharynx
- Injury of pharynx
- Perforation of pharynx
- Traumatic airway disruption
- Traumatic perforation of pharynx
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Other specified and unspecified injuries of neck (S19). 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
Esophagus Disorders
The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to the stomach. You may not be aware of your esophagus until you swallow something too large, too hot, or too cold. You may also notice it when something is wrong. You may feel pain or have trouble swallowing.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
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Convert S19.85XA to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S19.85XAOverview
Is S19.85XA (Other specified injuries of pharynx and cervical esophagus) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report other specified injuries of pharynx and cervical esophagus, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S19.85XA mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for other specified injuries of pharynx and cervical esophagus, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S19.85XA group to?
When other specified injuries of pharynx and cervical esophagus, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 913, 914, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.8855 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S19.85XA?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, other specified injuries of pharynx and cervical esophagus, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 959.09 (face & neck injury). 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.
