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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesS21.012

S21.012

Billable

Laceration without foreign body of left breast

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

Code Description

ICD-10 S21.012 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of laceration without foreign body of left breast.

Key Diagnostic Point:

S21.012 refers to a laceration of the left breast that does not involve any foreign body. This type of injury can occur due to various mechanisms, including trauma from blunt force, sharp objects, or surgical interventions. The clinical presentation may include pain, swelling, and visible disruption of the skin and underlying tissues. It is crucial to assess the extent of the laceration, as deeper injuries may involve underlying structures such as muscle, fat, or even the thoracic cavity. In cases of significant trauma, associated injuries such as rib fractures, pneumothorax, or hemothorax may also be present, necessitating a comprehensive evaluation. Proper documentation should include the mechanism of injury, the depth of the laceration, and any associated injuries. Treatment may involve wound care, suturing, or surgical intervention depending on the severity of the laceration. Accurate coding is essential for appropriate reimbursement and to reflect the complexity of care provided.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Differentiating between superficial and deep lacerations
  • Identifying associated injuries such as rib fractures or pneumothorax
  • Documenting the mechanism of injury accurately
  • Understanding the implications of surgical interventions

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the mechanism of injury
  • Failure to document associated injuries
  • Misclassification of the depth of the laceration
  • Inconsistent coding of surgical interventions

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed account of the injury mechanism, assessment of associated injuries, and treatment provided.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with trauma from accidents, falls, or assaults.

Billing Considerations

Ensure all associated injuries are documented to support coding for comprehensive trauma care.

General Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports detailing the extent of the laceration and any surgical interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Surgical repair of traumatic lacerations or complications arising from previous surgeries.

Billing Considerations

Document any complications or additional procedures performed during surgery.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use S21.012 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 guidelines, S21
  • 012 should be used when documenting a laceration of the left breast without foreign body involvement
  • It is important to ensure that the documentation clearly states the absence of foreign bodies and any associated injuries

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use S21.012 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

12031CPT Code

Simple repair of laceration, face, ears, eyelids, neck

Clinical Scenario

Used for repair of a laceration on the left breast.

Documentation Requirements

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

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the procedure is linked to the diagnosis of the laceration.

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, which enhances the accuracy of patient records and reimbursement processes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of injuries, including lacerations, which enhances the accuracy of patient records 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 S21.012 and S21.011?

S21.012 refers specifically to a laceration of the left breast without foreign body, while S21.011 refers to a similar injury on the right breast.