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  2. ICD-10-CM Index
  3. Chapter: S00–T98
  4. Section: S80-S89
  5. Block: S83
  6. S83.20 - Tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury

2022 ICD-10-CM Code S83.20
Tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury

Version 2022
Non-Billable Code
Unspecified Code
ICD-10:S83.20
Short Description:Tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury
Long Description:Tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury
Status: Not Valid for Submission

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00–T98)
    • Injuries to the knee and lower leg (S80-S89)
      • Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of knee (S83)

S83.20 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2022 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S83.20 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of knee (S83). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

Specific Coding for Tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury

Non-specific codes like S83.20 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10 codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury:

  • NON-BILLABLE CODE - S83.200 for Bucket-handle tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, right knee
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.200A for initial encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.200D for subsequent encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.200S for sequela
  • NON-BILLABLE CODE - S83.201 for Bucket-handle tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, left knee
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.201A for initial encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.201D for subsequent encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.201S for sequela
  • NON-BILLABLE CODE - S83.202 for Bucket-handle tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, unspecified knee
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.202A for initial encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.202D for subsequent encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.202S for sequela
  • NON-BILLABLE CODE - S83.203 for Other tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, right knee
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.203A for initial encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.203D for subsequent encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.203S for sequela
  • NON-BILLABLE CODE - S83.204 for Other tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, left knee
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.204A for initial encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.204D for subsequent encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.204S for sequela
  • NON-BILLABLE CODE - S83.205 for Other tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, unspecified knee
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.205A for initial encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.205D for subsequent encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.205S for sequela
  • NON-BILLABLE CODE - S83.206 for Unspecified tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, right knee
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.206A for initial encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.206D for subsequent encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.206S for sequela
  • NON-BILLABLE CODE - S83.207 for Unspecified tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, left knee
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.207A for initial encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.207D for subsequent encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.207S for sequela
  • NON-BILLABLE CODE - S83.209 for Unspecified tear of unspecified meniscus, current injury, unspecified knee
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.209A for initial encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.209D for subsequent encounter
  • BILLABLE CODE - Use S83.209S for sequela

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10 codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more. The following references are applicable to the code S83.20:


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.

Entries in the Index to Diseases and Injuries with references to S83.20

The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10 code(s). The following references for the code S83.20 are found in the index:

Information for Patients


Cartilage Disorders

Cartilage is the tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of your bones at a joint. It also gives shape and support to other parts of your body, such as your ears, nose and windpipe. Healthy cartilage helps you move by allowing your bones to glide over each other. It also protects bones by preventing them from rubbing against each other.

Injured, inflamed, or damaged cartilage can cause symptoms such as pain and limited movement. It can also lead to joint damage and deformity. Causes of cartilage problems include

Osteoarthritis results from breakdown of cartilage.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

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.

Knee problems are very common, and they occur in people of all ages. Knee problems can interfere with many things, from participation in sports to simply getting up from a chair and walking. This can have a big impact on your life.

The most common disease affecting the knee is osteoarthritis. The cartilage in the knee gradually wears away, causing pain and swelling.

Injuries to ligaments and tendons also cause knee problems. A common injury is to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). You usually injure your ACL by a sudden twisting motion. ACL and other knee injuries are common sports injuries.

Treatment of knee problems depends on the cause. In some cases your doctor may recommend knee replacement.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016 (First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)

Previous Code: S83.2

Parent Code: S83.2

Next Code: S83.200