2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S23.421DSprain of chondrosternal joint, subsequent encounter
S23.421D is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sprain of chondrosternal joint, 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. Coders also document this condition as complete tear, chondrosternal ligament. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sprains and strains, subsequent encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
S23.421D 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.
- Complete tear, chondrosternal ligament
- Complete tear, rib ligament
- Complete tear, sternum ligament
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 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
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 S23.421D to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S23.421DOverview
Is S23.421D (Sprain of chondrosternal joint) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report sprain of chondrosternal joint, subsequent encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character D in S23.421D mean?
The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the sprain of chondrosternal joint is healing, after active treatment has ended.
What MS-DRG does S23.421D group to?
When sprain of chondrosternal joint, 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 S23.421D 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 sprain of chondrosternal joint, subsequent encounter on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S23.421D?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sprain of chondrosternal joint, subsequent encounter converts to ICD-9-CM V58.89 (other specfied aftercare). 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.
