2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S40.252ASuperficial foreign body of left shoulder, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S40-S49›S40

ICD-10-CM S40.252A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S40.252A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for superficial foreign body of left shoulder, 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 604 through 605, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as foreign body in skin of left shoulder. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Superficial injury; contusion, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S40.252A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Superficial foreign body of left shoulder, initial encounter
Short Description
Superficial foreign body of left shoulder, initial encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
S40.252
Superficial foreign body of left shoulder

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS40-S49Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm
CategoryS40Superficial injury of shoulder and upper arm
This CodeS40.252ASuperficial foreign body of left shoulder, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Foreign body in skin of left shoulder
  • Foreign body in skin of shoulder

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Superficial injury of shoulder and upper arm (S40). 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 INJ017
Superficial injury; contusion, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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 S40.252A to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
912.6 Foreign body shouldr/arm
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 S40.252AOverview

Is S40.252A (Superficial foreign body of left shoulder) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report superficial foreign body of left shoulder, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S40.252A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for superficial foreign body of left shoulder, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S40.252A group to?

When superficial foreign body of left shoulder, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 604, 605, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.9160 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S40.252A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, superficial foreign body of left shoulder, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 912.6 (foreign body shouldr/arm). 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.