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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS01.21

S01.21

Billable

Laceration without foreign body of nose

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S01.21 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration without foreign body of nose.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S01.21 refers to a laceration of the nose that does not involve any foreign body. This type of injury is often the result of blunt or sharp trauma, such as falls, sports injuries, or accidents. Clinically, lacerations can vary in depth and severity, affecting the skin and potentially underlying structures. The absence of a foreign body simplifies the management of the injury, focusing primarily on wound care and closure. Proper assessment involves evaluating the extent of the laceration, checking for signs of infection, and ensuring that there are no associated injuries to the nasal cartilage or bone. Treatment typically includes cleaning the wound, possibly suturing, and providing instructions for care to prevent complications such as infection or scarring. Accurate documentation of the mechanism of injury, location, and treatment is essential for coding and billing purposes.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in injury severity and treatment options
  • Need for precise documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Differentiation from similar codes (e.g., lacerations with foreign bodies)
  • Potential for associated injuries requiring additional codes

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Failure to specify the depth and extent of the laceration
  • Misclassification of laceration type (with vs. without foreign body)
  • Omission of associated injuries that may require additional coding

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include a detailed account of the injury mechanism, assessment findings, and treatment provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with facial trauma from falls, sports injuries, or altercations.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant details about the injury and treatment are documented to support the coding.

Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports should detail the procedure performed, including any suturing techniques and post-operative care.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical repair of lacerations requiring anesthesia and operative intervention.

Billing Considerations

Document any complications or additional procedures performed during surgery.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S01.21 When
  • Follow ICD
  • CM guidelines for coding injuries, ensuring specificity in the documentation of the injury site, type, and any associated conditions

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S01.21 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds of the face, ears, eyelids, scalp, and neck

Clinical Scenario

Used when a laceration on the nose is repaired.

Documentation Requirements

Document the size of the laceration and the method of repair.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency and surgical specialties should ensure accurate coding of the procedure performed.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including lacerations. S01.21 provides clarity in coding lacerations without foreign bodies, improving data accuracy and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including lacerations. S01.21 provides clarity in coding lacerations without foreign bodies, improving data accuracy and reimbursement processes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement processes.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between S01.21 and S01.20?

S01.21 is used for lacerations of the nose without foreign bodies, while S01.20 is for lacerations with foreign bodies present. Accurate documentation is essential to determine the correct code.