ICD-10 S33
Non-Billable HeaderDislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of lumbar spine and pelvis
About ICD-10-CM S33
ICD-10-CM code S33 represents Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of lumbar spine and pelvis. This is a non-billable header code in the Injury, Poisoning, and External Causes chapter (block S33). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM S33 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 S33
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 S33. The conditions are mutually exclusive (e.g., congenital vs acquired forms).
- nontraumatic rupture or displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc NOS (M51.-)
- obstetric damage to pelvic joints and ligaments (O71.6)
Type 2 Excludes
Not included here, the excluded code is not part of S33, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. Both codes may be coded together when applicable.
- dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of hip (S73.-)
- strain of muscle of lower back and pelvis (S39.01-)
Includes
- avulsion of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- laceration of cartilage, joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- sprain of cartilage, joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
- traumatic tear of joint or ligament of lumbar spine and pelvis
Coding Notes
Code Also
- any associated open wound
Seven Chr Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S33
Medicare LCD Coverage for S33
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list S33 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 S33.
1 Aetna
2 Cigna
4 Humana
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with S33
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 S33
Other codes in section S30-S39 (Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals).
ICD-10 S33, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code S33 billable? +
No, S33 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block S33 when submitting claims.
What codes are Type 1 Excludes for S33? +
Type 1 Excludes (never code together with S33): nontraumatic rupture or displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc NOS (M51.-); obstetric damage to pelvic joints and ligaments (O71.6)
What codes are Type 2 Excludes for S33? +
Type 2 Excludes (may be coded together when both conditions exist): dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of hip (S73.-); strain of muscle of lower back and pelvis (S39.01-)
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
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