2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S51.819ALaceration without foreign body of unspecified forearm, initial encounter
S51.819A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for laceration without foreign body of unspecified forearm, 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 604 through 605, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as cut of forearm. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Open wounds to limbs, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Cut of forearm
- Laceration of forearm
- Laceration of forearm without foreign body
- Superficial laceration of forearm
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of elbow and forearm (S51). 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.
Patient EducationClinical
Wounds and Injuries
An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening.
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Convert S51.819A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S51.819AOverview
Is S51.819A (Laceration without foreign body of unspecified forearm) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report laceration without foreign body of unspecified forearm, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S51.819A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for laceration without foreign body of unspecified forearm, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S51.819A group to?
When laceration without foreign body of unspecified forearm, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 604, 605, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.9160 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S51.819A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, laceration without foreign body of unspecified forearm, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 881.00 (open wound of forearm). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
