2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S61.251AOpen bite of left index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›S60-S69›S61

ICD-10-CM S61.251A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

S61.251A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for open bite 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 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 604 through 605, 963 through 965. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Open wounds to limbs, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
S61.251A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Open bite of left index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter
Short Description
Open bite of left index finger w/o damage to nail, init
Parent Code
S61.251
Open bite of left index finger without damage to nail

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionS60-S69Injuries to the wrist, hand and fingers
CategoryS61Open wound of wrist, hand and fingers
This CodeS61.251AOpen bite of left index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to animal bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to cat bite
  • Open wound of finger of left hand due to human bite
  • Open wound of index finger due to cat bite
  • Open wound of left hand due to cat bite
  • Open wound of left index finger due to animal bite
  • Open wound of left index finger due to bite
  • Open wound of left index finger due to cat bite
  • Open wound of left index finger due to dog bite
  • Open wound of left index finger due to human bite

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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR INJ012
Open wounds to limbs, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Animal Bites

Wild animals usually avoid people. They might attack, however, if they feel threatened, are sick, or are protecting their young or territory. Attacks by pets are more common. Animal bites rarely are life-threatening, but if they become infected, you can develop serious medical problems.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert S61.251A to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
883.0 Open wound of finger
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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About S61.251AOverview

Is S61.251A (Open bite of left index finger without damage to nail) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report open bite of left index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in S61.251A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for open bite of left index finger without damage to nail, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does S61.251A group to?

When open bite of left index finger without damage to nail, 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 S61.251A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, open bite of left index finger without damage to nail, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 883.0 (open wound of finger). 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.