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S72.442J vs S72.443J

S72.442J (Displaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of left femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing) compared with S72.443J (Displaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing), from the official CMS tabular data. S72.442J and S72.443J code the same condition on opposite sides.

Relationship

Review

Laterality relationship

S72.442J
Left
Displaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of left femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing
S72.443J
Unspecified
Displaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing

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. S72.442J and S72.443J 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

S72.442JDisplaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of left femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healingS72.443JDisplaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing
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, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S72.442J).Displaced fracture of lower epiphysis (separation) of unspecified femur, subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC with delayed healing is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S72.443J).
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