2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S71.159DOpen bite, unspecified thigh, subsequent encounter
S71.159D is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for open bite, unspecified thigh, subsequent encounter. The 7th character D marks it as a subsequent encounter code, used during routine care in the healing or recovery phase. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 949 through 950. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as animal bite of thigh. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Open wounds to limbs, subsequent encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
S71.159D is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review the other POA exempt codes in Injuries to the hip and thigh (S70-S79).
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Animal bite of thigh
- Bite wound of thigh
- Dog bite of thigh
- Human bite of thigh
- Open bite of thigh
- Open wound of thigh due to cat bite
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of hip and thigh (S71). 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 S71.159D: its own notes plus those printed at S71.15, S71, block S70-S79, 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.
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.
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 S71
- Ainitial encounter
- Dsubsequent encounter this code
- 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 S71.159D, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 1
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming S71.159D: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Code Also 3
These codes say S71.159D may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.
- S74 Injury of nerves at hip and thigh levelany associated open wound (S71.-) names S71.-, which includes this code
- S75 Injury of blood vessels at hip and thigh levelany associated open wound (S71.-) names S71.-, which includes this code
- S76 Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at hip and thigh levelany associated open wound (S71.-) names S71.-, which includes this code
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Open Bite
a condition in which certain opposing teeth fail to establish occlusal contact when the jaws are closed.
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 S71.159D to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S71.159DOverview
What is the ICD-10 code for open bite, unspecified thigh, subsequent encounter?
The ICD-10-CM code for open bite, unspecified thigh, subsequent encounter is S71.159D (sometimes written as S71159D). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is S71.159D (Open bite, unspecified thigh) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report open bite, unspecified thigh, subsequent encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character D in S71.159D mean?
The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the open bite, unspecified thigh is healing, after active treatment has ended.
What MS-DRG does S71.159D group to?
When open bite, unspecified thigh, subsequent encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 950, 949, with relative weights from 0.7661 to 1.1231 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is S71.159D 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 open bite, unspecified thigh, subsequent encounter on inpatient claims. The code appears in the Injuries to the hip and thigh (S70-S79) range of the CMS exempt list.
