ICD-10 S00
Non-Billable HeaderSuperficial injury of head
About ICD-10-CM S00
ICD-10-CM code S00 represents Superficial injury of head. This is a non-billable header code in the Injury, Poisoning, and External Causes chapter (block S00). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM S00 became effective on October 1, 2025. Non-billable codes cannot be used as a primary or secondary diagnosis on a claim, use a more specific child code instead.
Coding Tips for S00
Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.
Injury codes require a 7th character: A (initial encounter, active treatment), D (subsequent, healing/recovery), S (sequela, late effect of original injury). Codes with fewer than 6 characters need the placeholder X to bring them to 6 characters before adding the 7th. Wrong or missing 7th character is the #1 cause of injury claim denials.
Type 1 Excludes
Pure excludes, these codes can never be coded together with S00. The conditions are mutually exclusive (e.g., congenital vs acquired forms).
- diffuse cerebral contusion (S06.2-)
- focal cerebral contusion (S06.3-)
- injury of eye and orbit (S05.-)
- open wound of head (S01.-)
Coding Notes
Seven Chr Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S00
Medicare LCD Coverage for S00
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list S00 as a covered diagnosis.
This doesn't mean the code isn't covered, it means no MAC has issued a Local Coverage Determination naming this specific code. Coverage may still apply under National Coverage Determinations or general medical-necessity rules.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing S00.
Our payer policy database covers Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, BCBS, Humana, and Medicare Advantage plans, but S00 doesn't currently appear in any indexed policy. The code may still be covered under standard plan benefits.
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with S00
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
We don't have CPT pairings indexed for this specific code yet. Use the CPT search above to find common procedures, or check your payer's published medical policy for code-specific guidance.
Codes Adjacent To S00
Other codes in section S00-S09 (Injuries to the head).
ICD-10 S00, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code S00 billable? +
No, S00 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block S00 when submitting claims.
What codes are Type 1 Excludes for S00? +
Type 1 Excludes (never code together with S00): diffuse cerebral contusion (S06.2-); focal cerebral contusion (S06.3-); injury of eye and orbit (S05.-)
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on June 2, 2026.
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