2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S48Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm
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
Code Classification
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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- An amputation not identified as partial or complete should be coded to complete
Type 1 Excludes
- traumatic amputation at elbow level S58.0
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S48
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
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
Questions About S48Overview
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.
