2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S20.304DUnspecified superficial injuries of middle front wall of thorax, subsequent encounter
S20.304D is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified superficial injuries of middle front wall of thorax, subsequent encounter. The 7th character D marks it as a subsequent encounter code, used during routine care in the healing or recovery phase. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 949 through 950. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Superficial injury; contusion, subsequent encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
S20.304D is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Superficial injury of thorax (S20). 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.
Code History & ChangesHistory
Replacement S20.304D replaces the following previously assigned code(s):
- S20.301D - Unsp superficial injuries of r frnt wl of thorax, subs
- S20.302D - Unsp superficial injuries of left front wall of thorax, subs
- S20.309D - Unsp superficial injuries of unsp front wall of thorax, subs
Questions About S20.304DOverview
Is S20.304D a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified superficial injuries of middle front wall of thorax, subsequent encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character D in S20.304D mean?
The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the unspecified superficial injuries of middle front wall of thorax is healing, after active treatment has ended.
What MS-DRG does S20.304D group to?
When unspecified superficial injuries of middle front wall of thorax, subsequent encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 949, 950, with relative weights from 0.6277 to 1.1897 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is S20.304D exempt from POA reporting?
Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for unspecified superficial injuries of middle front wall of thorax, subsequent encounter on inpatient claims.
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.
