2027 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 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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.

  • Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
  • Rupture of infraspinatus muscle
  • 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 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 S46.019A: its own notes plus those printed at S46, 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

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 S46 Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at shoulder and upper arm level applies to 216 codes
  • injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at elbow (S56.-)
  • sprain of joints and ligaments of shoulder girdle (S43.9)
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 S46 Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at shoulder and upper arm level applies to 216 codes
  • any associated open wound (S41.-)

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 S46 Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at shoulder and upper arm level applies to 216 codes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S46
Values for category S46 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter this code
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • 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 S46.019A, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming S46.019A: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • M75.1 Rotator cuff tear or rupture, not specified as traumatic
    tear of rotator cuff, traumatic (S46.01-) names S46.01-, which includes this code

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming S46.019A: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • S43 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of shoulder girdle
    strain of muscle, fascia and tendon of shoulder and upper arm (S46.-) names S46.-, which includes this code
  • S43.42 Sprain of rotator cuff capsule
    injury of tendon of rotator cuff (S46.0-) names S46.0-, which includes this code

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

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

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, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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 563, 964, 965, 562, 963, with relative weights from 0.8982 to 2.6361 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.