2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S81.851AOpen bite, right lower leg, initial encounter
S81.851A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for open bite, right lower leg, 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
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Dog bite of lower leg
- Open bite of lower leg
- Open wound of lower leg due to cat bite
- Open wound of right lower leg due to animal bite
- Open wound of right lower leg due to bite
- Open wound of right lower leg due to cat bite
- Open wound of right lower leg due to dog bite
- Open wound of right lower leg due to human bite
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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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
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Convert S81.851A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S81.851AOverview
Is S81.851A (Open bite, right lower leg) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report open bite, right lower leg, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in S81.851A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for open bite, right lower leg, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S81.851A group to?
When open bite, right lower leg, 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 S81.851A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, open bite, right lower leg, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 891.0 (open wnd knee/leg/ankle). 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.
