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S08.122A ICD-10-CM Code: Partial traumatic amputation of left ear, initial encounter

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Coding at a Glance

7th character
Required — see the character table on this page
Tabular directives
12 inclusion terms · 9 Excludes2 · 1 code-also instruction

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v44, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 154 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH MCC (MDC 03)
  • MS-DRG 155 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH CC (MDC 03)
  • MS-DRG 156 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 03)
  • MS-DRG 963 — OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITH MCC (MDC 24)
  • MS-DRG 964 — OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITH CC (MDC 24)
  • MS-DRG 965 — OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 24)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for S08.122A in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2027Effective: October 1, 2026

Trace:FY2027 changesChange historyRelease, file and checksum

Notes without a marker are published on S08.122A itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Includes

Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.

  • injuries of ear
  • injuries of eye
  • injuries of face [any part]
  • injuries of gum
  • injuries of jaw
  • injuries of oral cavity
  • injuries of palate
  • injuries of periocular area
  • injuries of scalp
  • injuries of temporomandibular joint area
  • injuries of tongue
  • injuries of tooth

Source: inherited from S00-S09

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

Source: inherited from S00-S09

Code Also

Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.

  • for any associated infection

Source: inherited from S00-S09

7th Character Guide

"The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S08"

  • A — initial encounter (this page’s code)
  • D — subsequent encounter
  • S — sequela

How the encounter character is assigned. “Initial encounter” means the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition — it is not limited to the first visit, and a different or new provider giving active treatment still assigns it. “Subsequent encounter” covers care during the healing or recovery phase after active treatment. “Sequela” is for complications or conditions that arise as a direct result of the original condition.

ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, Section I.C.19.a (paraphrased by MedCoder).

Variant codes in this family

S08.122A, S08.122D, S08.122S

Character meanings are CMS's official 7th-character extensions for this family, as carried in each variant code's official description; variant codes are registry rows. The explanation of how the encounter character is assigned is MedCoder editorial, distinct from the official content above it.

Coder workflow for S08.122A

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code S08.122A

  1. A 7th character is required in this family. Confirm the documented encounter: initial (active treatment), subsequent (healing or recovery phase), or sequela. This page’s code carries “A”. “Initial” means active treatment, not the first visit (Guidelines I.C.19.a).

    See the 7th Character Guide · Guide: 7th characters: initial, subsequent, sequela →

  2. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the side documented — right, left, or bilateral — and select the matching code (this page’s code: left). The unspecified-side code applies only when the record states no side. Laterality is assigned from the documented side; where a bilateral code exists and both sides are documented, it is used instead of two unilateral codes (Guidelines I.B.13).

    ReviewS08.121A · right, S08.129A · unspecified

    Guide: Laterality coding →

  3. Confirm the injury type, the anatomical site at the most specific level documented, laterality where the family codes it, and the encounter for the 7th character. Each injury is coded separately unless the classification provides a combination code, and a superficial injury is not coded when a more severe injury of the same site is documented. Injury chapter guidelines (Guidelines I.C.19.b, I.C.19.b.1).

    Guide: 7th characters: initial, subsequent, sequela →

Choose the right path

  1. Is the side documented?
    Yes → Select the code for the documented side (or the bilateral code when both sides are documented and one exists).
    No → Use the unspecified-side code only when the record states no side; a query is the alternative.

    ReviewS08.121A · right, S08.129A · unspecified

  2. Is the encounter phase documented — active treatment, healing or recovery, or a sequela?
    Yes → Assign the matching 7th character; the variant codes are in the 7th Character Guide.
    No → The code is invalid without its 7th character — query for the missing element.

Consider S08.122A. Then review the Code Also note, and confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement
Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).
Anatomical site
At the most specific level the record states; a site the classification separates cannot be assumed from a procedure or a measurement.
Laterality
Right, left or bilateral as documented; unspecified only when the record states no side (Guidelines I.B.13).
Encounter type
Active treatment, healing or recovery phase, or sequela — the basis of the 7th character (Guidelines I.C.19.a).
External cause, place and activity
For the external cause codes reported with the injury or poisoning, where documented (Guidelines I.C.20.a).

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes2 — not part of S08.122A(9 notes)

    Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in S08.122A. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

    CompareT16, T17.3, T18.0, T17.2, T15, T63.4

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

  • Code Also — related condition(1 note)

    Coding workflow: Review the related condition when both are documented and the instruction applies. A Code Also note does not fix sequencing; the order follows the circumstances of the encounter.

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.17

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Documentation: The patient returns during the healing or recovery phase after active treatment of the same condition.

Coding question: Which 7th character applies?

Path: Review the official 7th-character definitions for this family in the 7th Character Guide.

Reason: “Initial encounter” means active treatment, not the first visit; care during recovery takes “subsequent encounter”, and a complication arising from the original condition takes “sequela” (Guidelines I.C.19.a).

Documentation: The record documents the condition on one side only.

Coding question: Which code in this family applies?

Path: Select the sibling code for the documented side.

Reason: Laterality is assigned from the documented side; the unspecified-side code is for records that state no side (Guidelines I.B.13).

ReviewS08.121A · right, S08.129A · unspecified

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Don’t confuse S08.122A with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of S08.122A — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

  • S08.121A— Laterality relationship (Review)

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

    The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

    What moves you there: A documented right side moves the case to S08.121A.

    Full comparison: S08.122A vs S08.121A →

  • S08.129A— Laterality relationship (Review)

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

    The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

    What moves you there: A record that states no side takes S08.129A; a documented side moves it back to a sided code.

    Full comparison: S08.122A vs S08.129A →

  • S08.122D— Encounter relationship (Review)

    Same underlying diagnosis, different encounter phase.

    The same diagnosis at a different phase of care; one encounter takes one 7th character.

    What moves you there: Documentation of a subsequent encounter moves the case to S08.122D.

    Full comparison: S08.122A vs S08.122D →

  • S08.122S— Encounter relationship (Review)

    Same underlying diagnosis, different encounter phase.

    The same diagnosis at a different phase of care; one encounter takes one 7th character.

    What moves you there: Documentation of a sequela moves the case to S08.122S.

    Full comparison: S08.122A vs S08.122S →

  • T20— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of burns and corrosions adds T20; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: S08.122A vs T20 →

  • T32— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of burns and corrosions adds T32; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: S08.122A vs T32 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Code Overview

Partial traumatic amputation of left ear, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S08.122A).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Decision Points

The directives on this code's own record, as a pre-claim checklist.

  1. A 7th character applies in this family. Confirm the documented encounter matches the character assigned. See the official 7th-character definitions and this code’s variants
  2. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the documented side matches the code — the opposite-side siblings are in the relationships section. See the opposite-side sibling codes
  3. 1 Code Also note — a second code may apply; the guidelines leave its sequencing to the circumstances of the encounter. See the Code Also notes
  4. 9 Excludes2 entries — those conditions are not part of this code and may be reported additionally when documented. See the Excludes2 notes

Checklist rows are derived from this code's own official directives; the wording of each check is MedCoder editorial. The official notes themselves are in the sections each row links to.

Verify Before Coding

  • No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder structured relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name S08.122A or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 2 Excludes2 notes: S01 — Open wound of head (via S08.-), S09.3 — Other specified and unspecified injury of middle and inner ear (via S08.1.-).

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

Referenced by 3 Code Also instructions: G96.00 — Cerebrospinal fluid leak, unspecified (via S08.-), G96.08 — Other cranial cerebrospinal fluid leak (via S08.-), G96.09 — Other spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak (via S08.-).

These codes suggest coding this condition alongside when both are present.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2027)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2027 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 6 MS-DRGs: DRG 154 (MDC 03), DRG 155 (MDC 03), DRG 156 (MDC 03), DRG 963 (MDC 24), DRG 964 (MDC 24), DRG 965 (MDC 24).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):INJ015 — Amputation of other body parts, initial encounter (default).

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same condition, opposite side

Same category and title, differing only in which side of the body is affected.

S08.121A — Partial traumatic amputation of right ear, initial encounter (right)Compare S08.122A vs S08.121A →, S08.129A — Partial traumatic amputation of unspecified ear, initial encounter (unspecified)Compare S08.122A vs S08.129A →

Same injury, other encounter phase

Same injury, coded at a different phase of treatment via the 7th character.

S08.122D — Partial traumatic amputation of left ear, subsequent encounterCompare S08.122A vs S08.122D →, S08.122S — Partial traumatic amputation of left ear, sequelaCompare S08.122A vs S08.122S →

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Amputation of other body parts, initial encounter).

S08.111A — Complete traumatic amputation of right ear, initial encounter, S08.112A — Complete traumatic amputation of left ear, initial encounter, S08.119A — Complete traumatic amputation of unspecified ear, initial encounter, S08.121A — Partial traumatic amputation of right ear, initial encounter, S08.129A — Partial traumatic amputation of unspecified ear, initial encounter, S08.811A — Complete traumatic amputation of nose, initial encounter, S08.812A — Partial traumatic amputation of nose, initial encounter, S08.89XA — Traumatic amputation of other parts of head, initial encounter, S28.1XXA — Traumatic amputation (partial) of part of thorax, except breast, initial encounter, S28.211A — Complete traumatic amputation of right breast, initial encounter, S28.212A — Complete traumatic amputation of left breast, initial encounter, S28.219A — Complete traumatic amputation of unspecified breast, initial encounter, S28.221A — Partial traumatic amputation of right breast, initial encounter, S28.222A — Partial traumatic amputation of left breast, initial encounter, S28.229A — Partial traumatic amputation of unspecified breast, initial encounter, S38.211A — Complete traumatic amputation of female external genital organs, initial encounter, S38.212A — Partial traumatic amputation of female external genital organs, initial encounter, S38.221A — Complete traumatic amputation of penis, initial encounter, S38.222A — Partial traumatic amputation of penis, initial encounter, S38.231A — Complete traumatic amputation of scrotum and testis, initial encounter, +2 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Amputation”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

S28.1 — Traumatic amputation (partial) of part of thorax, except breast (traumatic, thorax, part of), S28.21 — Complete traumatic amputation of breast (traumatic, breast), S28.22 — Partial traumatic amputation of breast (traumatic, breast, partial), S38.21 — Traumatic amputation of female external genital organs (traumatic, labium), S38.211 — Complete traumatic amputation of female external genital organs (traumatic, vulva), S38.212 — Partial traumatic amputation of female external genital organs (traumatic, vulva, partial), S38.221 — Complete traumatic amputation of penis (traumatic, penis), S38.222 — Partial traumatic amputation of penis (traumatic, penis, partial), S38.231 — Complete traumatic amputation of scrotum and testis (traumatic, testes), S38.232 — Partial traumatic amputation of scrotum and testis (traumatic, testes, partial), S48.01 — Complete traumatic amputation at shoulder joint (traumatic, arm, at, shoulder joint), S48.02 — Partial traumatic amputation at shoulder joint (traumatic, arm, at, shoulder joint, partial), S48.11 — Complete traumatic amputation at level between shoulder and elbow (traumatic, arm, between, shoulder and elbow), S48.12 — Partial traumatic amputation at level between shoulder and elbow (traumatic, arm, between, shoulder and elbow, partial), S48.91 — Complete traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm, level unspecified (traumatic, arm), S48.92 — Partial traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm, level unspecified (traumatic, arm, partial), S58.01 — Complete traumatic amputation at elbow level (traumatic, arm, at, elbow), S58.02 — Partial traumatic amputation at elbow level (traumatic, arm, at, elbow, partial), S58.11 — Complete traumatic amputation at level between elbow and wrist (traumatic, arm, between, elbow and wrist), S58.12 — Partial traumatic amputation at level between elbow and wrist (traumatic, arm, between, elbow and wrist, partial), +39 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of S08.122A in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run S08.122A with these 5 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

Referenced by Code Also instructions

Clinical classification (CCSR)

MS-DRG Grouper

MDC crossing

  • MDC 03 — Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 5,151 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027
  • MDC 24 — Multiple Significant Trauma[MDC crossing]: “Multiple Significant Trauma — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 22,991 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027

Nearest codes (40)

Change history

  • FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Common coding questions

Does S08.122A require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S08.

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Inpatient payment groups Official source data
CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v44 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder structured relationship
Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder explanation
Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder structured relationship · MedCoder explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "S08.122A — Partial traumatic amputation of left ear, initial encounter." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/s08.122a-partial-traumatic-amputation-of-left-ear-initial-encounter

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Partial traumatic amputation of left ear, initial encounter

No changes since FY2016 — additions, deletions, description changes and billable-status changes are tracked through FY2027, and none are recorded for this code. Note changes are tracked from FY2027 only.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S08.122A in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the S08 family