1. Home
  2. ICD-10-CM Codes
  3. S00–T88
  4. S20-S29
  5. S21
  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code S21.1
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S21.1

Open wound of front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity

ICD-10-CM Code:
S21.1
ICD-10 Code for:
Open wound of front wall of thorax w/o penet thoracic cavity
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the thorax
      (S20-S29)
      • Open wound of thorax
        (S21)

S21.1 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of open wound of front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 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 Open wound of front wall of thorax w/o penet thoracic cavity

Non-specific codes like S21.1 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 open wound of front wall of thorax w/o penet thoracic cavity:

  • S21.10 for Unspecified open wound of front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.101 for Unspecified open wound of right front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.101A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.101D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.101S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.102 for Unspecified open wound of left front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.102A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.102D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.102S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.109 for Unspecified open wound of unspecified front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.109A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.109D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.109S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.11 for Laceration without foreign body of front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.111 for Laceration without foreign body of right front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.111A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.111D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.111S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.112 for Laceration without foreign body of left front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.112A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.112D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.112S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.119 for Laceration without foreign body of unspecified front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.119A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.119D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.119S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.12 for Laceration with foreign body of front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.121 for Laceration with foreign body of right front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.121A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.121D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.121S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.122 for Laceration with foreign body of left front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.122A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.122D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.122S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.129 for Laceration with foreign body of unspecified front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.129A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.129D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.129S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.13 for Puncture wound without foreign body of front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.131 for Puncture wound without foreign body of right front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.131A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.131D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.131S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.132 for Puncture wound without foreign body of left front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.132A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.132D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.132S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.139 for Puncture wound without foreign body of unspecified front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.139A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.139D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.139S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.14 for Puncture wound with foreign body of front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.141 for Puncture wound with foreign body of right front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.141A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.141D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.141S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.142 for Puncture wound with foreign body of left front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.142A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.142D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.142S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.149 for Puncture wound with foreign body of unspecified front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.149A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.149D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.149S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.15 for Open bite of front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.151 for Open bite of right front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.151A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.151D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.151S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.152 for Open bite of left front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.152A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.152D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.152S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S21.159 for Open bite of unspecified front wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.159A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.159D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S21.159S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Open wound of thorax (S21). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

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.
  • Open wound of chest without penetration into thoracic cavity

Patient Education


Chest Injuries and Disorders

What is the chest?

The chest is the part of your body between your neck and your abdomen (belly). The medical term for your chest is thorax.

Your chest holds many important structures for breathing, digestion, blood circulation, and other important body functions. These structures include your:

  • Ribs and breastbone
  • Esophagus, the tube between your mouth and stomach
  • Trachea, your windpipe
  • Bronchi, the tubes that carry air from your windpipe to your lungs
  • Lungs
  • Pleura, a thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the inside wall of the chest space
  • Heart and large blood vessels
  • Thymus, a gland that's part of your immune system
  • Nerves

What are chest injuries and disorders?

Chest injuries and disorders are problems that affect any of the organs or structures located in your chest.

There are many types of chest injuries and disorders, for example:

  • Broken ribs
  • Esophagus disorders
  • Swallowing disorders, also called dysphagia
  • Tracheal disorders
  • Bronchial disorders
  • Lung diseases and collapsed lung
  • Pleural disorders
  • Heart diseases
  • Mediastinal diseases, which are tumors, inflammation, and other problems with the structures in the mediastinum, which is the space between your lungs, breastbone, and spine
  • Thoracic aortic aneurysm
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome

Chest injuries may happen from the force of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Or the chest may be pierced by a bullet or sharp object. Because your chest holds so many important structures, certain chest injuries may be life-threatening.

How are chest injuries and disorders diagnosed?

Diagnosis of chest injuries or disorders depends on the type of symptoms you're having and whether you've had a chest injury. Injuries are usually obvious, but in most cases, you'll need tests to know how serious an injury is.

There are many types of tests for diagnosing different types of chest injuries and disorders, for example:

  • Diagnostic imaging tests
  • Heart tests
  • Lung function tests
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Pleural fluid analysis
  • Dysphagia tests
  • Biopsy

Treatments will depend on the type of chest injury or disorder you have.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Wounds and Injuries

An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening. Injuries can happen at work or play, indoors or outdoors, driving a car, or walking across the street.

Wounds are injuries that break the skin or other body tissues. They include cuts, scrapes, scratches, and punctured skin. They often happen because of an accident, but surgery, sutures, and stitches also cause wounds. Minor wounds usually aren't serious, but it is important to clean them. Serious and infected wounds may require first aid followed by a visit to your doctor. You should also seek attention if the wound is deep, you cannot close it yourself, you cannot stop the bleeding or get the dirt out, or it does not heal.

Other common types of injuries include:

  • Animal bites
  • Bruises
  • Burns
  • Dislocations
  • Electrical injuries
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Sprains and strains

[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.