2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S41.159DOpen bite of unspecified upper arm, subsequent encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S40-S49›S41

ICD-10-CM S41.159D
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

S41.159D is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for open bite of unspecified upper arm, 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 949 through 950. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Open wounds to limbs, subsequent encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S41.159D
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Open bite of unspecified upper arm, subsequent encounter
Short Description
Open bite of unspecified upper arm, subsequent encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
S41.159
Open bite of unspecified upper arm

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS40-S49Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm
CategoryS41Open wound of shoulder and upper arm
This CodeS41.159DOpen bite of unspecified upper arm, subsequent encounter

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

S41.159D is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review the other POA exempt codes in Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm (S40-S49).

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Animal bite of axilla
  • Animal bite of upper arm
  • Bite in axilla
  • Bite wound of upper arm
  • Dog bite of axilla
  • Dog bite of shoulder
  • Dog bite of upper arm
  • Human bite of axilla
  • Human bite of shoulder
  • Human bite of upper arm
  • Open bite of upper arm
  • Open wound of upper arm due to animal bite

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of shoulder and upper arm (S41). 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 2027, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to S41.159D: its own notes plus those printed at S41.15, S41, block S40-S49, and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From Block S40-S49 Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm applies to 2,730 codes
  • injuries of axilla
  • injuries of scapular region

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From S41.15 Open bite of upper arm applies to 9 codes
  • superficial bite of upper arm (S40.87)
From S41 Open wound of shoulder and upper arm applies to 108 codes
  • traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm (S48.-)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From S41 Open wound of shoulder and upper arm applies to 108 codes
  • open fracture of shoulder and upper arm (S42.- with 7th character B or C)
From Block S40-S49 Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm applies to 2,730 codes
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Code Also

A second code may be needed to fully describe the condition; the note gives no sequencing direction.

From S41 Open wound of shoulder and upper arm applies to 108 codes
  • any associated wound infection

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
  • The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

7th Character

Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.

From S41 Open wound of shoulder and upper arm applies to 108 codes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S41
Values for category S41 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter this code
  • Ssequela

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name S41.159D, its category, or a range that includes it.

Code Also 3

These codes say S41.159D may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • S44 Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level
    any associated open wound (S41.-) names S41.-, which includes this code
  • S45 Injury of blood vessels at shoulder and upper arm level
    any associated open wound (S41.-) names S41.-, which includes this code
  • S46 Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at shoulder and upper arm level
    any associated open wound (S41.-) names S41.-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INJ049
Open wounds to limbs, subsequent encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Animal Bites

Wild animals usually avoid people. They might attack, however, if they feel threatened, are sick, or are protecting their young or territory. Attacks by pets are more common. Animal bites rarely are life-threatening, but if they become infected, you can develop serious medical problems.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert S41.159D 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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About S41.159DOverview

What is the ICD-10 code for open bite of unspecified upper arm, subsequent encounter?

The ICD-10-CM code for open bite of unspecified upper arm, subsequent encounter is S41.159D (sometimes written as S41159D). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is S41.159D (Open bite of unspecified upper arm) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report open bite of unspecified upper arm, subsequent encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What does the 7th character D in S41.159D mean?

The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the open bite of unspecified upper arm is healing, after active treatment has ended.

What MS-DRG does S41.159D group to?

When open bite of unspecified upper arm, subsequent encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 950, 949, with relative weights from 0.7661 to 1.1231 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is S41.159D 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 open bite of unspecified upper arm, subsequent encounter on inpatient claims. The code appears in the Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm (S40-S49) range of the CMS exempt list.