2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S31.522ALaceration with foreign body of unspecified external genital organs, female, initial encounter
S31.522A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for laceration with foreign body of unspecified external genital organs, female, 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 742 through 743, 760 through 761, 963 through 965. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Open wounds of trunk, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals (S31). 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 S31.522A: its own notes plus those printed at S31.5, S31, block S30-S39, 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 to the abdominal wall
- injuries to the anus
- injuries to the buttock
- injuries to the external genitalia
- injuries to the flank
- injuries to the groin
Excludes1
Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
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.
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 S31
- 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 S31.522A, its category, or a range that includes it.
Use Additional Code 1
These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and S31.522A is one of the codes named.
Code Also 6
These codes say S31.522A may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.
- S33.1 Subluxation and dislocation of lumbar vertebraopen wound of abdomen, lower back and pelvis (S31) names S31, which includes this code
- S34 Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis levelopen wound of abdomen, lower back and pelvis (S31.-) names S31.-, which includes this code
- S35 Injury of blood vessels at abdomen, lower back and pelvis levelany associated open wound (S31.-) names S31.-, which includes this code
- S36 Injury of intra-abdominal organsany associated open wound (S31.-) names S31.-, which includes this code
- S37 Injury of urinary and pelvic organsany associated open wound (S31.-) names S31.-, which includes this code
- S39 Other and unspecified injuries of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitalsany associated open wound (S31.-) names S31.-, which includes this code
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Foreign Bodies
If you've ever gotten a splinter or had sand in your eye, you've had experience with a foreign body. A foreign body is something that is stuck inside you but isn't supposed to be there. You may inhale or swallow a foreign body, or you may get one from an injury to almost any part of your body.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S31.522A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S31.522AOverview
Is S31.522A a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report laceration with foreign body of unspecified external genital organs, female, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character A in S31.522A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for laceration with foreign body of unspecified external genital organs, female, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S31.522A group to?
When laceration with foreign body of unspecified external genital organs, female, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 742, 964, 965, 743, 760, 963, 761, with relative weights from 0.7039 to 2.6361 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can S31.522A be reported with S38.21?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at S31.5, which applies to S31.522A, lists "traumatic amputation of external genital organs (S38.21, S38.22)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S31.522A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, laceration with foreign body of unspecified external genital organs, female, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 878.9 (opn wnd genital NEC-comp). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.