ICD-10 S51
Non-Billable HeaderOpen wound of elbow and forearm
About ICD-10-CM S51
ICD-10-CM code S51 represents Open wound of elbow and forearm. This is a non-billable header code in the Injury, Poisoning, and External Causes chapter (block S51). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM S51 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 S51
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 S51. The conditions are mutually exclusive (e.g., congenital vs acquired forms).
- open fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character)
- traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm (S58.-)
Type 2 Excludes
Not included here, the excluded code is not part of S51, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. Both codes may be coded together when applicable.
- open wound of wrist and hand (S61.-)
Coding Notes
Code Also
- any associated wound infection
Seven Chr Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S51
Medicare LCD Coverage for S51
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list S51 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 S51.
2 Cigna
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with S51
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 S51
Other codes in section S50-S59 (Injuries to the elbow and forearm).
ICD-10 S51, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code S51 billable? +
No, S51 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block S51 when submitting claims.
What codes are Type 1 Excludes for S51? +
Type 1 Excludes (never code together with S51): open fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character); traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm (S58.-)
What codes are Type 2 Excludes for S51? +
Type 2 Excludes (may be coded together when both conditions exist): open wound of wrist and hand (S61.-)
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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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