2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S33.0XXATraumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc, initial encounter
S33.0XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc, 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 551 through 552, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as lumbar disc lesion. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Dislocations, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Lumbar disc lesion
- Rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc
- Traumatic disc rupture
- Traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of lumbar spine and pelvis (S33). 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
Herniated Disk
Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bones called vertebrae. In between them are soft disks filled with a jelly-like substance. These disks cushion the vertebrae and keep them in place. As you age, the disks break down or degenerate. As they do, they lose their cushioning ability. This can lead to pain if the back is stressed.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S33.0XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S33.0XXAOverview
Is S33.0XXA (Traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S33.0XXA mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S33.0XXA group to?
When traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 551, 552, 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 S33.0XXA?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, traumatic rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 839.20 (dislocat lumbar vert-cl). 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.
