2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S24.139AAnterior cord syndrome at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S20-S29›S24

ICD-10-CM S24.139A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S24.139A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for anterior cord syndrome at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, 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 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 963 through 965. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spinal cord injury (SCI), initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S24.139A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Anterior cord syndrome at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, initial encounter
Short Description
Ant cord syndrome at unsp level of thor spinal cord, init
Parent Code
S24.139
Anterior cord syndrome at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS20-S29Injuries to the thorax
CategoryS24Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level
This CodeS24.139AAnterior cord syndrome at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Anterior cord syndrome due to closed fracture of T1-T6 level
  • Anterior cord syndrome due to closed fracture of T7-T12 level
  • Anterior cord syndrome due to injury at T7-T12 level
  • Anterior cord syndrome due to open fracture of T7-T12 level
  • Anterior cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord
  • Anterior thoracic cord injury, without bony injury, T7-12
  • Closed fracture of T1-T6 level with incomplete spinal cord lesion
  • Closed fracture of T1-T6 level with spinal cord injury
  • Closed fracture of T7-T12 level with incomplete spinal cord lesion
  • Closed fracture of T7-T12 level with spinal cord injury
  • Closed fracture of thoracic region with spinal cord injury
  • Closed spinal fracture with anterior thoracic cord lesion, T1-6
  • Closed spinal fracture with anterior thoracic cord lesion,T7-12
  • Incomplete spinal cord lesion at T7-T12 level without bone injury
  • Injury at T7-T12 level with spinal cord injury AND without bone injury
  • Open fracture of T7-T12 level with incomplete spinal cord lesion
  • Open fracture of T7-T12 level with spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic anterior cord syndrome

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level (S24). 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.

CCSR INJ009
Spinal cord injury (SCI), initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of your back. It carries signals back and forth between your body and your brain. A spinal cord injury disrupts the signals. Spinal cord injuries usually begin with a blow that fractures (breaks) or dislocates your vertebrae, the bone disks that make up your spine.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert S24.139A to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
952.9 Spinal cord injury NOS
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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About S24.139AOverview

Is S24.139A a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report anterior cord syndrome at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S24.139A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for anterior cord syndrome at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S24.139A group to?

When anterior cord syndrome at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.9405 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S24.139A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, anterior cord syndrome at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 952.9 (spinal cord injury NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.