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  6. 2025 ICD-10-CM Code S12.0

2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S12.0

Fracture of first cervical vertebra

ICD-10-CM Code:
S12.0
ICD-10 Code for:
Fracture of first cervical vertebra
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

S12.0 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of fracture of first cervical vertebra. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Fracture of first cervical vertebra

Non-specific codes like S12.0 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for fracture of first cervical vertebra:

  • S12.00 for Unspecified fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.000 for Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.000A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.000B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.000D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.000G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.000K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.000S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.001 for Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.001A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.001B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.001D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.001G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.001K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.001S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.01 for Stable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.01XA for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.01XB for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.01XD for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.01XG for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.01XK for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.01XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.02 for Unstable burst fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.02XA for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.02XB for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.02XD for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.02XG for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.02XK for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.02XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.03 for Posterior arch fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.030 for Displaced posterior arch fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.030A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.030B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.030D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.030G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.030K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.030S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.031 for Nondisplaced posterior arch fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.031A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.031B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.031D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.031G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.031K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.031S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.04 for Lateral mass fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.040 for Displaced lateral mass fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.040A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.040B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.040D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.040G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.040K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.040S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.041 for Nondisplaced lateral mass fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.041A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.041B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.041D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.041G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.041K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.041S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.09 for Other fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.090 for Other displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.090A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.090B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.090D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.090G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.090K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.090S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S12.091 for Other nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.091A for initial encounter for closed fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.091B for initial encounter for open fracture - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.091D for subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.091G for subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.091K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S12.091S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    S00–T88
    • Injuries to the neck
      S10-S19
      • Fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck
        S12

Coding Guidelines

The principles of multiple coding of injuries should be followed in coding fractures. Fractures of specified sites are coded individually by site nd the level of detail furnished by medical record content.

A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed. A fracture not indicated whether displaced or not displaced should be coded to displaced.

Initial vs. Subsequent Encounter for Fractures

Traumatic fractures are coded using the appropriate 7th character for initial encounter (A, B, C) for each encounter where the patient is receiving active treatment for the fracture. The appropriate 7th character for initial encounter should also be assigned for a patient who delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion.

Fractures are coded using the appropriate 7th character for subsequent care for encounters after the patient has completed active treatment of the fracture and is receiving routine care for the fracture during the healing or recovery phase.

Care for complications of surgical treatment for fracture repairs during the healing or recovery phase should be coded with the appropriate complication codes.

Care of complications of fractures, such as malunion and nonunion, should be reported with the appropriate 7th character for subsequent care with nonunion (K, M, N,) or subsequent care with malunion (P, Q, R).

Malunion/nonunion: The appropriate 7th character for initial encounter should also be assigned for a patient who delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion.

The open fracture designations in the assignment of the 7th character for fractures of the forearm, femur and lower leg, including ankle are based on the Gustilo open fracture classification. When the Gustilo classification type is not specified for an open fracture, the 7th character for open fracture type I or II should be assigned (B, E, H, M, Q).

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

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


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.
  • Atlas

Patient Education


Fractures

What is a fracture?

A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures are usually caused by injuries. Since they can sometimes be serious, it's important to get medical care right away if you think you have a fracture.

What are the different types of fractures?

There are different ways to describe fractures. For example, there are different types of fractures based on:

  • Whether the bone is partially or completely broken.
  • Whether the bone breaks through the skin; if it does, it's called an open (or compound) fracture. If not, it's a closed fracture.
  • The direction or shape of the break, for example if it's in a line across the bone or if it has some kind of pattern.
  • The cause of the break. For example, a stress fracture is a small break in a bone that is often caused by overuse.
  • Which bone is broken, for example facial fractures include nose and jaw fractures.

What causes fractures?

Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Overuse and repetitive motions can also cause fractures.

Low bone density and osteoporosis are conditions which cause weakening of your bones. Having one of these conditions makes you much more likely to break a bone.

What are the symptoms of a fracture?

The symptoms of a fracture can vary, depending on which bone you broke. But they may include:

  • Intense pain
  • Deformity, for example a limb that looks out of place
  • Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injury
  • Trouble moving the injured part

If you think that you may have broken a bone, get medical care right away.

How are fractures diagnosed?

To find out if you have a fracture, your health provider will do a physical exam and ask about your injury. They will also likely order an x-ray or other imaging test to see if your bone is broken.

What are the treatments for fractures?

The most common treatment for a fracture is for you to wear a cast or a splint. This will keep your bone from moving while it heals. How long you need to wear it will depend on the type of fracture and which bone is affected. But it's often for several weeks. Your provider will let you when you can get it off.

In some cases, you may need surgery to put in plates, pins, or screws to keep the bone in place.

Can fractures be prevented?

There are steps you can take to lower your risk of fractures:

  • Keeping your bones strong by:
    • Getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet
    • Getting regular physical activity, including weight bearing exercises such as walking, tennis, and dancing
    • Getting treatment for low bone density or osteoporosis (if needed)
  • Wearing protective equipment when you do sports
  • Preventing falls by:
    • Getting rid of any tripping hazards in your home
    • Being careful when walking on wet or icy surfaces
    • Choosing the right footwear

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Neck Injuries and Disorders

Any part of your neck - muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves - can cause neck problems. Neck pain is very common. Pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head, or upper arms.

Muscle strain or tension often causes neck pain. The problem is usually overuse, such as from sitting at a computer for too long. Sometimes you can strain your neck muscles from sleeping in an awkward position or overdoing it during exercise. Falls or accidents, including car accidents, are another common cause of neck pain. Whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck, is also called neck sprain or strain.

Treatment depends on the cause, but may include applying ice, taking pain relievers, getting physical therapy or wearing a cervical collar. You rarely need surgery.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • 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. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.