2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S60.521ABlister (nonthermal) of right hand, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S60-S69›S60

ICD-10-CM S60.521A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

S60.521A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for blister (nonthermal) of right hand, 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 606 through 607, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as right hand blister with infection. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Superficial injury; contusion, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S60.521A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Blister (nonthermal) of right hand, initial encounter
Short Description
Blister (nonthermal) of right hand, initial encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
S60.521
Blister (nonthermal) of right hand

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS60-S69Injuries to the wrist, hand and fingers
CategoryS60Superficial injury of wrist, hand and fingers
This CodeS60.521ABlister (nonthermal) of right hand, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Right hand blister with infection
  • Traumatic blister of right hand

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Superficial injury of wrist, hand and fingers (S60). 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 S60.521A: its own notes plus those printed at S60.5, S60, block S60-S69, 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 S60.5 Other superficial injuries of hand applies to 54 codes
From Block S60-S69 Injuries to the wrist, hand and fingers applies to 5,118 codes
  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • 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 S60 Superficial injury of wrist, hand and fingers applies to 522 codes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S60
Values for category S60 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter this code
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name S60.521A, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming S60.521A: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • S50 Superficial injury of elbow and forearm
    superficial injury of wrist and hand (S60.-) names S60.-, which includes this code

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

Blisters

Blisters are fluid-filled sacs on the outer layer of your skin. They form because of rubbing, heat, or diseases of the skin. They are most common on your hands and feet.

The full article covers:

  • What are blisters?
  • What causes blisters?
  • What are the treatments for blisters?
  • Can blisters be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert S60.521A to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
914.2 Blister hand
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 S60.521AOverview

What is the ICD-10 code for blister (nonthermal) of right hand, initial encounter?

The ICD-10-CM code for blister (nonthermal) of right hand, initial encounter is S60.521A (sometimes written as S60521A). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is S60.521A (Blister (nonthermal) of right hand) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report blister (nonthermal) of right hand, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What does the 7th character A in S60.521A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for blister (nonthermal) of right hand, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S60.521A group to?

When blister (nonthermal) of right hand, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 964, 965, 607, 963, 606, with relative weights from 0.8772 to 2.6361 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S60.521A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, blister (nonthermal) of right hand, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 914.2 (blister hand). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.