2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S23.41XASprain of ribs, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S20-S29›S23

ICD-10-CM S23.41XA
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

S23.41XA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sprain of ribs, 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 205 through 206, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as chondrocostal joint sprain. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sprains and strains, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S23.41XA
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Sprain of ribs, initial encounter
Short Description
Sprain of ribs, initial encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
S23.41
Sprain of ribs

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS20-S29Injuries to the thorax
CategoryS23Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax
This CodeS23.41XASprain of ribs, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Chondrocostal joint sprain
  • Complete tear, chondrocostal joint ligament
  • Complete tear, costal cartilage ligament
  • Complete tear, rib ligament
  • Complete tear, sternum ligament
  • Costal cartilage injury
  • Fracture of costal cartilage
  • Sprain of chondrocostal joint without injury to sternum

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax (S23). 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 2027, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to S23.41XA: its own notes plus those printed at S23, block S20-S29, and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From S23 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax applies to 108 codes
  • avulsion of joint or ligament of thorax
  • laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of thorax
  • sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of thorax
  • traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of thorax
  • traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of thorax
  • traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of thorax
  • traumatic tear of joint or ligament of thorax
From Block S20-S29 Injuries to the thorax applies to 1,602 codes
  • injuries of breast
  • injuries of chest (wall)
  • injuries of interscapular area

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From S23 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax applies to 108 codes
  • dislocation, sprain of sternoclavicular joint (S43.2, S43.6)
  • strain of muscle or tendon of thorax (S29.01-)
From Block S20-S29 Injuries to the thorax applies to 1,602 codes
  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • effects of foreign body in bronchus (T17.5)
  • effects of foreign body in esophagus (T18.1)
  • effects of foreign body in lung (T17.8)
  • effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • injuries of axilla
  • injuries of clavicle
  • injuries of scapular region
  • injuries of shoulder
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Code Also

A second code may be needed to fully describe the condition; the note gives no sequencing direction.

From S23 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax applies to 108 codes
  • any associated open wound

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
  • The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

7th Character

Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.

From S23 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax applies to 108 codes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S23
Values for category S23 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter this code
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INJ024
Sprains and strains, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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 S23.41XA to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
848.3 Sprain of ribs
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About S23.41XAOverview

What is the ICD-10 code for sprain of ribs, initial encounter?

The ICD-10-CM code for sprain of ribs, initial encounter is S23.41XA (sometimes written as S2341XA). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is S23.41XA (Sprain of ribs) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report sprain of ribs, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What does the 7th character A in S23.41XA mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for sprain of ribs, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S23.41XA group to?

When sprain of ribs, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 964, 965, 206, 205, 963, with relative weights from 0.9255 to 2.6361 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S23.41XA?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sprain of ribs, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 848.3 (sprain of ribs). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.