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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS21.001

S21.001

Billable

Unspecified open wound of right breast

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/23/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 S21.001 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified open wound of right breast.

Key Diagnostic Point:

An unspecified open wound of the right breast refers to a traumatic injury that results in a break in the skin and underlying tissues of the right breast area. This type of injury can occur due to various mechanisms, including blunt or penetrating trauma, and may be associated with other thoracic injuries such as rib fractures, pneumothorax, or hemothorax. The clinical presentation may vary from minor lacerations to more severe wounds that could involve underlying structures, including the chest wall, ribs, and potentially the lungs or heart. In cases of significant trauma, patients may present with signs of respiratory distress or hemodynamic instability, necessitating immediate evaluation and intervention. The management of such wounds often requires thorough assessment, imaging studies, and possibly surgical intervention to repair damaged tissues and prevent complications such as infection or further injury to vital thoracic organs. Accurate coding of this condition is essential for appropriate treatment planning and reimbursement.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in documentation of wound type and severity
  • Potential for associated injuries requiring additional codes
  • Need for precise anatomical localization in coding
  • Differentiation from similar codes for other breast injuries

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Failure to document associated injuries or complications
  • Misclassification of wound type (open vs. closed)
  • Lack of clarity regarding the extent of the wound

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed description of the injury mechanism, assessment of vital signs, and any immediate interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with trauma from accidents, falls, or assaults resulting in breast injuries.

Billing Considerations

Ensure thorough documentation of any associated thoracic injuries, as these may impact treatment and coding.

General Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports detailing the extent of the wound, surgical interventions performed, and any complications encountered.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical repair of traumatic breast wounds, including exploration for underlying injuries.

Billing Considerations

Accurate coding of surgical procedures performed in conjunction with the wound repair is essential.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S21.001 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring accurate documentation of the injury type, location, and any associated conditions
  • Include details on the mechanism of injury and any treatments provided

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S21.001 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12001CPT Code

Simple repair of superficial wounds

Clinical Scenario

Used for suturing an open wound of the right breast.

Documentation Requirements

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

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the procedure is linked to the diagnosis of the open wound.

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 open wounds, which enhances the ability to capture the complexity of trauma cases and improves data accuracy for treatment and reimbursement.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including open wounds, which enhances the ability to capture the complexity of trauma cases and improves data accuracy for treatment and reimbursement.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement.

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 an open and closed wound?

An open wound involves a break in the skin, exposing underlying tissues, while a closed wound does not break the skin and may involve bruising or internal injury.