2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S46.019AStrain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of unspecified shoulder, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S40-S49›S46

ICD-10-CM S46.019A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S46.019A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for strain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of unspecified 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 562 through 563, 963 through 965. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sprains and strains, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S46.019A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Strain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of unspecified shoulder, initial encounter
Short Description
Strain of musc/tend the rotator cuff of unsp shoulder, init
Parent Code
S46.019
Strain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of unspecified shoulder

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS40-S49Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm
CategoryS46Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at shoulder and upper arm level
This CodeS46.019AStrain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of unspecified shoulder, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Injury of muscle of rotator cuff
  • Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
  • Rupture of infraspinatus tendon
  • Rupture subscapularis tendon
  • Shoulder strain
  • Strain of infraspinatus muscle
  • Strain of infraspinatus muscle AND/OR tendon
  • Strain of infraspinatus tendon
  • Strain of rotator cuff of shoulder
  • Strain of subscapularis muscle
  • Strain of subscapularis muscle and/or tendon
  • Strain of subscapularis tendon
  • Strain of supraspinatus muscle
  • Strain of supraspinatus muscle AND/OR tendon
  • Strain of supraspinatus tendon
  • Supraspinatus tear
  • Traumatic tear of tendon of infraspinatus muscle
  • Traumatic tear of tendon of subscapularis muscle of shoulder
  • Traumatic tear of tendon of supraspinatus muscle

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at shoulder and upper arm level (S46). 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 INJ024
Sprains and strains, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy

    rapidly destructive shoulder joint and bone disease found mainly in elderly, and predominantly in women. it is characterized by shoulder pain; joint instability; and the presence of crystalline calcium phosphates in the synovial fluid. it is associated with rotator cuff injuries.

Patient EducationClinical

Rotator Cuff Injuries

Your rotator cuff is part of your shoulder joint. It's a group of muscles and tendons that holds the top part of your upper arm bone firmly in your shoulder socket. The rotator cuff keeps your shoulder stable when you move your arm in any direction.

The full article covers:

  • What is a rotator cuff?
  • What are rotator cuff injuries?
  • Who is more likely to develop a rotator cuff injury?
  • What are the symptoms of rotator cuff injuries?
  • How are rotator cuff injuries diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for rotator cuff injuries?
  • When should I see a health care provider for shoulder pain?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert S46.019A to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
840.8 Sprain shoulder/arm NEC
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 S46.019AOverview

Is S46.019A a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report strain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of unspecified shoulder, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S46.019A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for strain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of unspecified shoulder, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S46.019A group to?

When strain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of unspecified shoulder, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 562, 563, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.8955 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S46.019A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, strain of muscle(s) and tendon(s) of the rotator cuff of unspecified shoulder, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 840.8 (sprain shoulder/arm NEC). 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.