2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S81.012DLaceration without foreign body, left knee, subsequent encounter
S81.012D is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for laceration without foreign body, left knee, 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 cut of knee. 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
S81.012D is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review the other POA exempt codes in Injuries to the knee and lower leg (S80-S89).
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Cut of knee
- Cut of left knee
- Cut of left lower limb
- Laceration of knee
- Laceration of left knee
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of knee and lower leg (S81). 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 S81.012D: its own notes plus those printed at S81, block S80-S89, 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 S81
- 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 S81.012D, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes2 1
These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming S81.012D: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.
Code Also 3
These codes say S81.012D may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.
- S84 Injury of nerves at lower leg levelany associated open wound (S81.-) names S81.-, which includes this code
- S85 Injury of blood vessels at lower leg levelany associated open wound (S81.-) names S81.-, which includes this code
- S86 Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at lower leg levelany associated open wound (S81.-) names S81.-, which includes this code
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Knee Injuries and Disorders
Your knee joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have knee problems. Knee problems can cause pain and difficulty walking.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S81.012D to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S81.012DOverview
What is the ICD-10 code for laceration without foreign body, left knee, subsequent encounter?
The ICD-10-CM code for laceration without foreign body, left knee, subsequent encounter is S81.012D (sometimes written as S81012D). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is S81.012D (Laceration without foreign body, left knee) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report laceration without foreign body, left knee, subsequent encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character D in S81.012D mean?
The final character D marks a subsequent encounter: use it for routine care while the laceration without foreign body, left knee is healing, after active treatment has ended.
What MS-DRG does S81.012D group to?
When laceration without foreign body, left knee, 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 S81.012D 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 laceration without foreign body, left knee, subsequent encounter on inpatient claims. The code appears in the Injuries to the knee and lower leg (S80-S89) range of the CMS exempt list.
