2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S22.5XXSFlail chest, sequela
S22.5XXS is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for flail chest, sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 551 through 552. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as closed flail chest. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Injury, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
S22.5XXS is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Closed flail chest
- Flail chest
- Flail sternum
- Open flail chest
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Fracture of rib(s), sternum and thoracic spine (S22). 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.
Clinical InformationClinical
Flail Chest
a complication of multiple rib fractures; rib and sternum fractures, or thoracic surgery. a portion of the thoracic wall becomes isolated from the rib cage and exhibits paradoxical respiration.
Patient EducationClinical
Chest Injuries and Disorders
The chest is the part of your body between your neck and your abdomen (belly). The medical term for your chest is thorax.
The full article covers:
- What is the chest?
- What are chest injuries and disorders?
- How are chest injuries and disorders diagnosed?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S22.5XXS to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S22.5XXSOverview
Is S22.5XXS (Flail chest) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report flail chest, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in S22.5XXS mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the flail chest itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does S22.5XXS group to?
When flail chest, sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 551, 552, with relative weights from 0.9613 to 1.6761 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is S22.5XXS 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 flail chest, sequela on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S22.5XXS?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, flail chest, sequela converts to ICD-9-CM 905.1 (late eff spine/trunk fx). 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.
