2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S48Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S40-S49›S48

ICD-10-CM S48
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

S48 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as S48.011A, S48.011D, S48.011S, and S48.012A.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S48
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm
Short Description
Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
S40-S49
Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS40-S49Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm
CategoryS48Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm
This CodeS48Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm

Specific Coding for Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper armOverview

Non-specific codes like S48 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • S48.0 for Traumatic amputation at shoulder joint

  • S48.01 for Complete traumatic amputation at shoulder joint

  • S48.02 for Partial traumatic amputation at shoulder joint

  • S48.1 for Traumatic amputation at level between shoulder and elbow

  • S48.11 for Complete traumatic amputation at level between shoulder and elbow

  • S48.12 for Partial traumatic amputation at level between shoulder and elbow

  • S48.9 for Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm, level unspecified

  • S48.91 for Complete traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm, level unspecified

  • S48.92 for Partial traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm, level unspecified

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm (S48). 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 S48: its own notes plus those printed at 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

Applicable To

Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.

  • An amputation not identified as partial or complete should be coded to complete

Excludes1

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

  • traumatic amputation at elbow level (S58.0)

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 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.-)

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.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S48
Values for category S48 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • 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 S48, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming S48: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • S41 Open wound of shoulder and upper arm
    traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm (S48.-)
  • S42 Fracture of shoulder and upper arm
    traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm (S48.-)

Patient EducationClinical

Limb Loss

People can lose all or part of an arm or leg for many reasons. Common ones include:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

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 S48Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm?

S48 is the ICD-10-CM category for traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is S48 (Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm need a more specific code from this category, such as S48.011A, S48.011D, and S48.011S.

Can S48 be reported with S58.0?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on S48 lists "traumatic amputation at elbow level (S58.0)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).