ICD-10 S52
Non-Billable HeaderFracture of forearm
About ICD-10-CM S52
ICD-10-CM code S52 represents Fracture of forearm. This is a non-billable header code in the Injury, Poisoning, and External Causes chapter (block S52). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM S52 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 S52
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 S52. The conditions are mutually exclusive (e.g., congenital vs acquired forms).
- traumatic amputation of forearm (S58.-)
Type 2 Excludes
Not included here, the excluded code is not part of S52, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. Both codes may be coded together when applicable.
- fracture at wrist and hand level (S62.-)
- periprosthetic fracture around internal prosthetic elbow joint (M97.4)
Coding Notes
Seven Chr Def
- initial encounter for open fracture NOS
Seven Chr Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to all codes from category S52
Medicare LCD Coverage for S52
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list S52 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 S52.
Our payer policy database covers Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, BCBS, Humana, and Medicare Advantage plans, but S52 doesn't currently appear in any indexed policy. The code may still be covered under standard plan benefits.
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with S52
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 S52
Other codes in section S50-S59 (Injuries to the elbow and forearm).
ICD-10 S52, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code S52 billable? +
No, S52 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block S52 when submitting claims.
What codes are Type 1 Excludes for S52? +
Type 1 Excludes (never code together with S52): traumatic amputation of forearm (S58.-)
What codes are Type 2 Excludes for S52? +
Type 2 Excludes (may be coded together when both conditions exist): fracture at wrist and hand level (S62.-); periprosthetic fracture around internal prosthetic elbow joint (M97.4)
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on June 1, 2026.
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