2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S24.159DOther incomplete lesion at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, subsequent encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S20-S29›S24

ICD-10-CM S24.159D
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S24.159D is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other incomplete lesion at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, 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 Spinal cord injury (SCI), subsequent encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S24.159D
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Other incomplete lesion at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, subsequent encounter
Short Description
Oth incmpl lesion at unsp level of thor spinal cord, subs
Parent Code
S24.159
Other incomplete lesion 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 CodeS24.159DOther incomplete lesion at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, subsequent encounter

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

S24.159D 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.

  • Anterior lesion of thoracic spinal cord due to closed dislocation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Anterior lesion of thoracic spinal cord due to closed subluxation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Anterior lesion of thoracic spinal cord due to open dislocation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Anterior lesion of thoracic spine due to open subluxation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to closed dislocation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to closed fracture at T1-T6 level
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to closed fracture at T7-T12 level
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to closed subluxation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to injury of spinal cord at T7 - T12 level
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to open dislocation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to open fracture at T1-T6 level
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to open fracture at T7-T12 level
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to open subluxation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Central cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to traumatic injury
  • 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 posterior thoracic cord lesion, T1-6
  • Closed spinal fracture with posterior thoracic cord lesion, T7-12
  • Closed subluxation thoracic spine
  • Contusion of spinal cord
  • Contusion of thoracic cord
  • Contusion of thoracic spine
  • Incomplete cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord
  • Lesion of thoracic spinal cord due to closed dislocation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Lesion of thoracic spinal cord due to open dislocation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Lesion of thoracic spinal cord due to subluxation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Open dislocation thoracic spine
  • Open fracture of T1-T6 level with spinal cord injury
  • Open fracture of T7-T12 level with incomplete spinal cord lesion
  • Open fracture of T7-T12 level with spinal cord injury
  • Open subluxation thoracic spine
  • Posterior cord syndrome due to closed fracture of T1-T6 level
  • Posterior cord syndrome due to closed fracture of T7-T12 level
  • Posterior cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord
  • Posterior cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to closed dislocation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Posterior cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to closed subluxation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Posterior cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to open dislocation of joint of thoracic spine
  • Posterior cord syndrome of thoracic spinal cord due to open subluxation of joint of thoracic spine

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 INJ046
Spinal cord injury (SCI), subsequent 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 S24.159D to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
V58.89 Other specfied aftercare
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 S24.159DOverview

Is S24.159D a billable code?

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

What does the 7th character D in S24.159D mean?

The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the other incomplete lesion at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord is healing, after active treatment has ended.

What MS-DRG does S24.159D group to?

When other incomplete lesion at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, 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 S24.159D 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 other incomplete lesion at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, subsequent encounter on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S24.159D?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, other incomplete lesion at unspecified level of thoracic spinal cord, 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.