2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S52.281SBent bone of right ulna, sequela
S52.281S is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for bent bone of right ulna, sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 559 through 561. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Injury, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
S52.281S is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Fracture of forearm (S52). 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
Arm Injuries and Disorders
Of the 206 bones in your body, three of them are in your arm: the humerus, radius, and ulna. Your arms are also made up of muscles, joints, tendons, and other connective tissue. Injuries to any of these parts of the arm can occur during sports, a fall, or an accident.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S52.281S to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S52.281SOverview
Is S52.281S (Bent bone of right ulna) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report bent bone of right ulna, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in S52.281S mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the bent bone of right ulna itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does S52.281S group to?
When bent bone of right ulna, sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 559, 560, 561, with relative weights from 0.8039 to 1.8649 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is S52.281S exempt from POA reporting?
Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for bent bone of right ulna, sequela on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S52.281S?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, bent bone of right ulna, sequela converts to ICD-9-CM 905.2 (late effect arm fx). 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.
