2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S34.125DIncomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar spinal cord, subsequent encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S30-S39›S34

ICD-10-CM S34.125D
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S34.125D is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for incomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar 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. Coders also document this condition as anterior cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Spinal cord injury (SCI), subsequent encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S34.125D
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Incomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar spinal cord, subsequent encounter
Short Description
Incomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar spinal cord, subs
Parent Code
S34.125
Incomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar spinal cord

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS30-S39Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals
CategoryS34Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level
This CodeS34.125DIncomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar spinal cord, subsequent encounter

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

S34.125D 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 cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
  • Anterior cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord at L5 level
  • Brown-Séquard syndrome at L5 level
  • Brown-Séquard syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
  • Central cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord at L5 level
  • Posterior cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord
  • Posterior cord syndrome of lumbar spinal cord at L5 level

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of lumbar and sacral spinal cord and nerves at abdomen, lower back and pelvis level (S34). 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 S34.125D 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 S34.125DOverview

Is S34.125D (Incomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar spinal cord) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report incomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar spinal cord, subsequent encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character D in S34.125D mean?

The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the incomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar spinal cord is healing, after active treatment has ended.

What MS-DRG does S34.125D group to?

When incomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar 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 S34.125D 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 incomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar spinal cord, subsequent encounter on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S34.125D?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, incomplete lesion of L5 level of lumbar 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] 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.