S00-S09
Medium Complexity
Injuries to the head
Primary Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Last Updated: 2025-09-10
ICD-10 Codes (200)
198 billable0 category headers
S01S01.0Billable
S01.00Billable
S01.01Billable
S01.02Billable
S01.03Billable
S01.04Billable
S01.05Billable
S01.1Billable
S01.10Billable
S01.101Billable
S01.102Billable
S01.109Billable
S01.11Billable
S01.111Billable
S01.112Billable
S01.119Billable
S01.12Billable
S01.121Billable
S01.122Billable
S01.129Billable
S01.13Billable
S01.131Billable
S01.132Billable
S01.139Billable
S01.14Billable
S01.141Billable
S01.142Billable
S01.149Billable
S01.15Billable
S01.151Billable
S01.152Billable
S01.159Billable
S01.2Billable
S01.20Billable
S01.21Billable
S01.22Billable
S01.23Billable
S01.24Billable
S01.25Billable
S01.3Billable
S01.30Billable
S01.301Billable
S01.302Billable
S01.309Billable
S01.31Billable
S01.311Billable
S01.312Billable
S01.319Billable
S01.32Billable
S01.321Billable
S01.322Billable
S01.329Billable
S01.33Billable
S01.331Billable
S01.332Billable
S01.339Billable
S01.34Billable
S01.341Billable
S01.342Billable
S01.349Billable
S01.35Billable
S01.351Billable
S01.352Billable
S01.359Billable
S01.4Billable
S01.40Billable
S01.401Billable
S01.402Billable
S01.409Billable
S01.41Billable
S01.411Billable
S01.412Billable
S01.419Billable
S01.42Billable
S01.421Billable
S01.422Billable
S01.429Billable
S01.43Billable
S01.431Billable
S01.432Billable
S01.439Billable
S01.44Billable
S01.441Billable
S01.442Billable
S01.449Billable
S01.45Billable
S01.451Billable
S01.452Billable
S01.459Billable
S01.5Billable
S01.50Billable
S01.501Billable
S01.502Billable
S01.51Billable
S01.511Billable
S01.512Billable
S01.52Billable
S01.521Billable
S01.522Billable
S01.53Billable
S01.531Billable
S01.532Billable
S01.54Billable
S01.541Billable
S01.542Billable
S01.55Billable
S01.551Billable
S01.552Billable
S01.8Billable
S01.80Billable
S01.81Billable
S01.82Billable
S01.83Billable
S01.84Billable
S01.85Billable
S01.9Billable
S01.90Billable
S01.91Billable
S01.92Billable
S01.93Billable
S01.94Billable
S01.95Billable
S02S02.0Billable
S02.1Billable
S02.10Billable
S02.101Billable
S02.102Billable
S02.109Billable
S02.11Billable
S02.110Billable
S02.111Billable
S02.112Billable
S02.113Billable
S02.118Billable
S02.119Billable
S02.12Billable
S02.121Billable
S02.122Billable
S02.129Billable
S02.19Billable
S02.2Billable
S02.3Billable
S02.30Billable
S02.31Billable
S02.32Billable
S02.4Billable
S02.40Billable
S02.400Billable
S02.401Billable
S02.402Billable
S02.41Billable
S02.411Billable
S02.412Billable
S02.413Billable
S02.42Billable
S02.5Billable
S02.6Billable
S02.60Billable
S02.600Billable
S02.601Billable
S02.602Billable
S02.609Billable
S02.61Billable
S02.610Billable
S02.611Billable
S02.612Billable
S02.62Billable
S02.620Billable
S02.621Billable
S02.622Billable
S02.63Billable
S02.630Billable
S02.631Billable
S02.632Billable
S02.64Billable
S02.640Billable
S02.641Billable
S02.642Billable
S02.65Billable
S02.650Billable
S02.651Billable
S02.652Billable
S02.66Billable
S02.67Billable
S02.670Billable
S02.671Billable
S02.672Billable
S02.69Billable
S02.8Billable
S02.80Billable
S02.81Billable
S02.82Billable
S02.83Billable
S02.831Billable
S02.832Billable
S02.839Billable
S02.84Billable
S02.841Billable
Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Current Year
New Codes (1)
S06.2X9A
Diffuse traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness of unspecified duration, initial encounter
Revised Codes (1)
S06.0X0A
Concussion without loss of consciousness - updated post-concussion syndrome correlation
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for S00-S09 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
high priority
The ICD-10 code range S00-S09 pertains to injuries to the head. This includes a wide array of conditions, from superficial injuries like abrasions or contusions, to more severe injuries such as fractures of the skull and facial bones, intracranial injuries, and injuries to nerves and spinal cord at the head, face, and neck level. These codes are used to document the initial encounter, subsequent encounter, and sequela for these injuries.
Key Usage Points:
- •Always use a 7th character extension to specify the encounter type.
- •For injuries, the code also defines the 'cause' of the injury (e.g., accidental, intentional self-harm, assault, undetermined).
- •Injuries to the eye (S05) and ear (S09.2, S09.3) have their own specific codes within this range.
- •Intracranial injuries (S06) are further classified by the specific type of injury, such as concussion, contusion, or hemorrhage.
- •Fractures of the skull and facial bones (S02) require additional coding to identify any associated intracranial injury.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient presents with a head injury from a recent fall.
- ✓When a patient has a laceration on the scalp due to an accident.
- ✓When a patient has a concussion from a sports injury.
- ✓When a patient has a fracture of the facial bone due to an assault.
- ✓When a patient has an intracranial injury due to a motor vehicle accident.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a patient has a pre-existing condition, like a brain tumor.
- ✗When a patient has a disease or disorder of the head, like migraines.
- ✗When a patient has a mental health disorder, like depression.
- ✗When a patient has a condition related to the eyes or ears, like glaucoma or otitis media.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions with the latest ICD-10-CM official guidelines and updates.
Documentation Requirements
Accurate documentation for head injuries should include the type of injury, cause, location, severity, and encounter type. It should also include any associated injuries or complications.
Clinical Information:
- •Type of injury (e.g., fracture, laceration, concussion)
- •Cause of injury (e.g., fall, accident, assault)
- •Location of injury (e.g., frontal, occipital, parietal)
- •Severity of injury (e.g., minor, moderate, severe)
- •Encounter type (e.g., initial, subsequent, sequela)
Supporting Evidence:
- •Medical history
- •Physical examination findings
- •Imaging reports
- •Operative reports
Good Documentation Example:
Patient presents with a moderate laceration on the frontal scalp due to a fall. This is the initial encounter for this injury.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has a head injury.
Common Documentation Errors:
- âš Not specifying the encounter type
- âš Not documenting the cause of the injury
- âš Not providing enough detail about the type or location of the injury
- âš Not including associated injuries or complications
Range Statistics
10
Total Codes
198
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:19
Coding Complexity
Medium
Complexity Rating
Coding for head injuries can be complex due to the need to include a lot of specific detail in the code. This includes the type and location of the injury, the cause, the encounter type, and any associated injuries or complications. However, with proper documentation, these codes can be used accurately and effectively.
Key Factors:
- â–¸The need to specify the encounter type
- â–¸The need to identify the cause of the injury
- â–¸The need to provide detail about the type and location of the injury
- â–¸The need to include associated injuries or complications
Specialty Focus
These codes are most commonly used by emergency medicine, neurology, and neurosurgery specialists. They are also used by primary care providers and other specialists who treat patients with head injuries.
Primary Specialties:
Emergency Medicine
40%
Neurology
30%
Neurosurgery
20%
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient presents to the ER with a severe head injury from a car accident.
- • A patient is seen in the neurology clinic for follow-up after a concussion.
- • A patient is admitted to the hospital for surgery after a skull fracture.
- • A patient is seen in the primary care clinic for a minor scalp laceration from a fall.
- • A patient is seen in the neurosurgery clinic for complications from a previous intracranial injury.
Resources & References
There are many resources available for coding head injuries, including the official ICD-10-CM guidelines, clinical reference materials, and educational resources.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- National Center for Health Statistics ICD-10-CM Browser Tool
- World Health Organization ICD-10 Browser
Clinical References:
- American Academy of Neurology Practice Guidelines
- American College of Emergency Physicians Clinical Policies
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons Guidelines
Educational Materials:
- American Health Information Management Association ICD-10 Training
- American Academy of Professional Coders ICD-10 Resources
- Medical Coding Pro ICD-10 Training
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I code for a head injury with multiple types of injuries?
You should use multiple codes to capture all types of injuries. List the most severe injury first.
What if the cause of the injury is unknown?
If the cause of the injury is unknown, use the code for 'unspecified' cause.
How do I code for a sequela of a head injury?
Use a code from the S00-S09 range with a 7th character extension for 'sequela', followed by a code for the specific sequela.