2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S36.222AContusion of tail of pancreas, initial encounter
S36.222A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for contusion of tail of pancreas, 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 438 through 440, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as closed injury of pancreas. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Internal organ injury, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Closed injury of pancreas
- Contusion of pancreas
- Contusion of tail of pancreas
- Traumatic injury of tail of pancreas
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of intra-abdominal organs (S36). 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
Pancreatic Diseases
The pancreas is a gland behind your stomach and in front of your spine. It produces juices that help break down food and hormones that help control blood sugar levels. Problems with the pancreas can lead to many health problems. These include:
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S36.222A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S36.222AOverview
Is S36.222A (Contusion of tail of pancreas) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report contusion of tail of pancreas, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S36.222A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for contusion of tail of pancreas, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S36.222A group to?
When contusion of tail of pancreas, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 438, 439, 440, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.6214 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S36.222A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, contusion of tail of pancreas, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 863.83 (pancreas, tail inj-close). 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.
