2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S50.00XAContusion of unspecified elbow, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S50-S59›S50

ICD-10-CM S50.00XA
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

S50.00XA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for contusion of unspecified elbow, 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 604 through 605, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as contusion of elbow. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Superficial injury; contusion, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S50.00XA
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Contusion of unspecified elbow, initial encounter
Short Description
Contusion of unspecified elbow, initial encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
S50.00
Contusion of unspecified elbow

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS50-S59Injuries to the elbow and forearm
CategoryS50Superficial injury of elbow and forearm
This CodeS50.00XAContusion of unspecified elbow, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Contusion of elbow
  • Hematoma of elbow region

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Superficial injury of elbow and forearm (S50). 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 S50.00XA: its own notes plus those printed at S50, block S50-S59, and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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 S50 Superficial injury of elbow and forearm applies to 144 codes
  • superficial injury of wrist and hand (S60.-)
From Block S50-S59 Injuries to the elbow and forearm applies to 4,362 codes
  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • injuries of wrist and hand (S60-S69)
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
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.

From S50 Superficial injury of elbow and forearm applies to 144 codes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S50
Values for category S50 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter this code
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR INJ017
Superficial injury; contusion, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Bruises

A bruise is a mark on your skin caused by blood trapped under the surface. It happens when an injury crushes small blood vessels but does not break the skin. Those vessels break open and leak blood under the skin.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert S50.00XA to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
923.11 Contusion of elbow
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 S50.00XAOverview

What is the ICD-10 code for contusion of unspecified elbow, initial encounter?

The ICD-10-CM code for contusion of unspecified elbow, initial encounter is S50.00XA (sometimes written as S5000XA). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is S50.00XA (Contusion of unspecified elbow) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report contusion of unspecified elbow, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What does the 7th character A in S50.00XA mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for contusion of unspecified elbow, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S50.00XA group to?

When contusion of unspecified elbow, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 605, 964, 965, 604, 963, with relative weights from 0.9075 to 2.6361 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S50.00XA?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, contusion of unspecified elbow, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 923.11 (contusion of elbow). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.