2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S48.019AComplete traumatic amputation at unspecified shoulder joint, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S40-S49›S48

ICD-10-CM S48.019A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S48.019A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for complete traumatic amputation at unspecified shoulder joint, 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 913 through 914, 963 through 965. The code is flagged as an unspecified code, since codes identifying laterality exist in the same family. Coders also document this condition as amputated at forequarter. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Amputation of a limb, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S48.019A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Complete traumatic amputation at unspecified shoulder joint, initial encounter
Short Description
Complete traumatic amputation at unsp shoulder joint, init
Parent Code
S48.019
Complete traumatic amputation at unspecified shoulder joint

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 CodeS48.019AComplete traumatic amputation at unspecified shoulder joint, initial encounter

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for S48.019A.

Unspecified codes
Unspecified codes exist in the ICD-10-CM classification for circumstances when documentation in the medical record does not provide the level of detail needed to support reporting a more specific code. However, in the inpatient setting, there should generally be very limited and rare circumstances for which the laterality (right, left, bilateral) of a condition is unable to be documented and reported. The following pages contain the list of unspecified ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes for which there is a more specific code to identify laterality (right, left, bilateral) within that code family.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Amputated at forequarter
  • Amputated at shoulder
  • Traumatic amputation of forequarter
  • Traumatic amputation, through shoulder

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.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INJ014
Amputation of a limb, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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.

Convert S48.019A to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
887.2 Amput abv elbow, unilat
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 S48.019AOverview

Is S48.019A (Complete traumatic amputation at unspecified shoulder joint) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report complete traumatic amputation at unspecified shoulder joint, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S48.019A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for complete traumatic amputation at unspecified shoulder joint, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S48.019A group to?

When complete traumatic amputation at unspecified shoulder joint, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 913, 914, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.8855 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S48.019A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, complete traumatic amputation at unspecified shoulder joint, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 887.2 (amput abv elbow, unilat). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.