2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S24.9XXAInjury of unspecified nerve of thorax, initial encounter
S24.9XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for injury of unspecified nerve of thorax, 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 73 through 74, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Injury to nerves, muscles and tendons, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level
- Injury of peripheral nerve of thorax
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 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 S24.9XXA: its own notes plus those printed at S24, 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.
- 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.
- injury of brachial plexus (S14.3)
- 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)
Use Additional Code
Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.
- 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.
Notes
General instructions on how these codes are used.
- 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.
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S24
- Ainitial encounter this code
- Dsubsequent encounter
- Ssequela
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.
Referenced in Other NotesGuidance
Instructional notes printed at other codes that name S24.9XXA, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 1
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming S24.9XXA: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Peripheral Nerve Disorders
Nerves are like wires that carry messages back and forth between your brain and your body. Your peripheral nerves branch off from your brain and spinal cord and connect to all parts of your body, including your muscles and organs.
The full article covers:
- What are peripheral nerves?
- What are peripheral nerve disorders?
- What causes peripheral nerve disorders?
- What are the symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders?
- How are peripheral nerve disorders diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for peripheral nerve disorders?
- Can peripheral nerve disorders be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S24.9XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S24.9XXAOverview
What is the ICD-10 code for injury of unspecified nerve of thorax, initial encounter?
The ICD-10-CM code for injury of unspecified nerve of thorax, initial encounter is S24.9XXA (sometimes written as S249XXA). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is S24.9XXA (Injury of unspecified nerve of thorax) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report injury of unspecified nerve of thorax, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character A in S24.9XXA mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for injury of unspecified nerve of thorax, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S24.9XXA group to?
When injury of unspecified nerve of thorax, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 964, 965, 74, 73, 963, with relative weights from 1.0054 to 2.6361 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S24.9XXA?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, injury of unspecified nerve of thorax, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 954.9 (injury trunk nerve NOS) and 957.9 (injury to nerve NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
