2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S41.159SOpen bite of unspecified upper arm, sequela
S41.159S is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for open bite of unspecified upper arm, sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. 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. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Injury, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
S41.159S 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
- 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
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 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
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 S41.159S to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S41.159SOverview
What is the ICD-10 code for open bite of unspecified upper arm, sequela?
The ICD-10-CM code for open bite of unspecified upper arm, sequela is S41.159S (sometimes written as S41159S). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Is S41.159S (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, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in S41.159S mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the open bite of unspecified upper arm itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does S41.159S group to?
When open bite of unspecified upper arm, sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 604, 605, with relative weights from 0.9160 to 1.4721 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is S41.159S 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, sequela on inpatient claims. The code appears in the Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm (S40-S49) range of the CMS exempt list.
