2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S44.30XDInjury of axillary nerve, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter
S44.30XD is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for injury of axillary nerve, unspecified 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 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 949 through 950. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as axillary nerve lesion. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Injury to nerves, muscles and tendons, subsequent encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
S44.30XD is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Axillary nerve lesion
- Closed injury, axillary nerve
- Injury of axillary nerve
- Open injury, axillary nerve
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level (S44). 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
Peripheral Nerve Disorders
Nerves are like wires that carry messages back and forth between your brain and your body. Your peripheral nerves branch off from your brain and spinal cord and connect to all parts of your body, including your muscles and organs.
The full article covers:
- What are peripheral nerves?
- What are peripheral nerve disorders?
- What causes peripheral nerve disorders?
- What are the symptoms of peripheral nerve disorders?
- How are peripheral nerve disorders diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for peripheral nerve disorders?
- Can peripheral nerve disorders be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S44.30XD to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S44.30XDOverview
Is S44.30XD (Injury of axillary nerve, unspecified arm) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report injury of axillary nerve, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character D in S44.30XD mean?
The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the injury of axillary nerve, unspecified arm is healing, after active treatment has ended.
What MS-DRG does S44.30XD group to?
When injury of axillary nerve, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 949, 950, with relative weights from 0.6277 to 1.1897 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is S44.30XD 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 injury of axillary nerve, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S44.30XD?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, injury of axillary nerve, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter converts to ICD-9-CM V58.89 (other specfied aftercare). 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.
