2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S83.261APeripheral tear of lateral meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter
S83.261A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for peripheral tear of lateral meniscus, current injury, right knee, 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 562 through 563, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as peripheral tear of lateral meniscus of knee. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Sprains and strains, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Peripheral tear of lateral meniscus of knee
- Peripheral tear of lateral meniscus of right knee
- Tear of lateral meniscus of right knee joint
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
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 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 S83.261A: its own notes plus those printed at S83.2, S83, block S80-S89, and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.
Includes
Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.
- avulsion of joint or ligament of knee
- laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of knee
- sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of knee
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of knee
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of knee
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of knee
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament of knee
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 open wound
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 S83
- Ainitial encounter this code
- Dsubsequent encounter
- 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 S83.261A, its category, or a range that includes it.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
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.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert S83.261A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About S83.261AOverview
Is S83.261A a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report peripheral tear of lateral meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character A in S83.261A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for peripheral tear of lateral meniscus, current injury, right knee, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does S83.261A group to?
When peripheral tear of lateral meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 563, 964, 965, 562, 963, with relative weights from 0.8982 to 2.6361 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can S83.261A be reported with M23.2?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at S83.2, which applies to S83.261A, lists "old bucket-handle tear (M23.2)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of S83.261A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, peripheral tear of lateral meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 836.1 (tear lat menisc knee-cur). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
