2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S20.469A

Insect bite (nonvenomous) of unspecified back wall of thorax, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Code:
S20.469A
ICD-10 Code for:
Insect bite (nonvenomous) of unsp back wall of thorax, init
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the thorax
      (S20-S29)
      • Superficial injury of thorax
        (S20)

S20.469A is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of insect bite (nonvenomous) of unspecified back wall of thorax, initial encounter. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

S20.469A is an initial encounter code, includes a 7th character and should be used while the patient is receiving active treatment for a condition like insect bite (nonvenomous) of unspecified back wall of thorax. According to ICD-10-CM Guidelines an "initial encounter" doesn't necessarily means "initial visit". The 7th character should be used when the patient is undergoing active treatment regardless if new or different providers saw the patient over the course of a treatment. The appropriate 7th character codes should also be used even if the patient delayed seeking treatment for a condition.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S20.469A are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Animal bite of back
  • Animal bite of back
  • Animal bite of back
  • Animal bite of back
  • Animal bite of back
  • Animal bite of back
  • Insect bite, nonvenomous, of back
  • Insect bite, nonvenomous, of back
  • Insect bite, nonvenomous, of back
  • Insect bite, nonvenomous, of back
  • Insect bite, nonvenomous, of interscapular region
  • Insect bite, nonvenomous, of interscapular region
  • Nonvenomous insect bite of back with infection
  • Nonvenomous insect bite of back with infection
  • Nonvenomous insect bite of back without infection
  • Nonvenomous insect bite of chest wall with infection
  • Nonvenomous insect bite of chest wall with infection
  • Nonvenomous insect bite of interscapular region with infection
  • Nonvenomous insect bite of scapular region with infection
  • Nonvenomous insect bite of trunk without infection
  • Superficial injury of back without infection
  • Superficial injury of interscapular region
  • Superficial injury of interscapular region
  • Superficial injury of interscapular region with infection
  • Superficial injury of scapular region
  • Superficial injury of scapular region with infection

Clinical Classification

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Superficial injury of thorax (S20). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Convert S20.469A to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 911.4 - Insect bite trunk
    Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Patient Education


Insect Bites and Stings

Most insect bites are harmless, though they sometimes cause discomfort. Bee, wasp, and hornet stings and fire ant bites usually hurt. Mosquito and flea bites usually itch. Insects can also spread diseases. In the United States, some mosquitoes spread West Nile virus. Travelers outside the United States may be at risk for malaria and other infections.

To prevent insect bites and their complications:

  • Don't bother insects
  • Use insect repellant
  • Wear protective clothing
  • Be careful when you eat outside because food attracts insects
  • If you know you have severe allergic reactions to insect bites and stings (such as anaphylaxis), carry an emergency epinephrine kit

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.

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.