2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S61.221ALaceration with foreign body of left index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
S61.221A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for laceration with foreign body of left index finger without damage to nail, 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 913 through 914, 963 through 965. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Open wounds to limbs, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of wrist, hand and fingers (S61). 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 S61.221A: its own notes plus those printed at S61.2, S61, block S60-S69, and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.
Excludes1
Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
- open wound of finger involving nail (matrix) (S61.3-)
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.
- open wound of thumb without damage to nail (S61.0-)
Use Additional Code
Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Code Also
A second code may be needed to fully describe the condition; the note gives no sequencing direction.
- any associated wound infection
Notes
General instructions on how these codes are used.
- 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.
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S61
- 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 S61.221A, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes2 1
These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming S61.221A: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.
Use Additional Code 1
These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and S61.221A is one of the codes named.
Code Also 3
These codes say S61.221A may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.
- S64 Injury of nerves at wrist and hand levelany associated open wound (S61.-) names S61.-, which includes this code
- S65 Injury of blood vessels at wrist and hand levelany associated open wound (S61.-) names S61.-, which includes this code
- S66 Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at wrist and hand levelany associated open wound (S61.-) names S61.-, which includes this code
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Finger Injuries and Disorders
You use your fingers and thumbs to do everything from grasping objects to playing musical instruments to typing. When there is something wrong with them, it can make life difficult. Common problems include:
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S61.221A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S61.221AOverview
Is S61.221A a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report laceration with foreign body of left index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character A in S61.221A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for laceration with foreign body of left index finger without damage to nail, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S61.221A group to?
When laceration with foreign body of left index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 964, 965, 914, 913, 963, with relative weights from 0.9281 to 2.6361 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can S61.221A be reported with a code from S61.3?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at S61.2, which applies to S61.221A, lists "open wound of finger involving nail (matrix) (S61.3-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S61.221A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, laceration with foreign body of left index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 883.1 (open wound finger-compl). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
