2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S38Crushing injury and traumatic amputation of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals
S38 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for crushing injury and traumatic amputation of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as S38.001A, S38.001D, S38.001S, and S38.002A.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Crush inj & traum amp of abd,low back, pelv & extrn genitalsOverview
Non-specific codes like S38 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
S38.0 for Crushing injury of external genital organs
S38.00 for Crushing injury of unspecified external genital organs
S38.01 for Crushing injury of penis
S38.02 for Crushing injury of scrotum and testis
S38.03 for Crushing injury of vulva
S38.1 for Crushing injury of abdomen, lower back, and pelvis
S38.2 for Traumatic amputation of external genital organs
S38.21 for Traumatic amputation of female external genital organs
S38.22 for Traumatic amputation of penis
S38.23 for Traumatic amputation of scrotum and testis
S38.3 for Transection (partial) of abdomen
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Crushing injury and traumatic amputation of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals (S38). 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.
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- An amputation not identified as partial or complete should be coded to complete
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S38
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
Patient EducationClinical
Wounds and Injuries
An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S38Overview
Is S38 a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for crushing injury and traumatic amputation of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for crushing injury and traumatic amputation of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals need a more specific code from this category, such as S38.001A, S38.001D, and S38.001S.
