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S72.442A vs S72.443A

S72.442A (Displaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of left femur, initial encounter for closed fracture) compared with S72.443A (Displaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of unspecified femur, initial encounter for closed fracture), from the official CMS tabular data. S72.442A and S72.443A code the same condition on opposite sides.

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

S72.442A
Left
Displaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of left femur, initial encounter for closed fracture
S72.443A
Unspecified
Displaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of unspecified femur, initial encounter for closed fracture

Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

These codes share a category and title and differ only in the side affected. The documentation decides which applies, and a bilateral code is reported only where the code set provides one.

Source: ICD-10-CM tabular list (laterality variant derived from the code title)

Can these codes be reported together?

Same condition, opposite side. S72.442A and S72.443A name the same condition on opposite sides of the body.

Same category and title, differing only in which side is affected — the documentation decides which one applies, and a bilateral code is reported only where the code set provides one.

Side by side

S72.442ADisplaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of left femur, initial encounter for closed fractureS72.443ADisplaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of unspecified femur, initial encounter for closed fracture
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationS00-T88 — Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88)S00-T88 — Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88)
DefinitionDisplaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of left femur, initial encounter for closed fracture is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S72.442A).Displaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of unspecified femur, initial encounter for closed fracture is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S72.443A).
7th characterThe appropriate 7th character is to be added to all codes from category S72The appropriate 7th character is to be added to all codes from category S72

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources