S09.91XA ICD-10-CM Code: Unspecified injury of ear, initial encounter
S09.91XA is the authoritative medical code for Unspecified injury of ear, initial encounter. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for unspecified injury of ear, initial encounter (ICD-10-CM S09.91XA), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with current federal coding standards.
Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.
Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)
MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v43.0 (FY2026), 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.
Code Set: Valid FY2026 and FY2027. FY2026 took effect October 1, 2025.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S09.91XA in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
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
Inclusion Terms
Alternative terms the tabular list files under this code.
- Injury of ear NOS
Excludes2 — Not Included Here
Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.
- burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
- effects of foreign body in ear (T16)
- effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3)
- effects of foreign body in mouth NOS (T18.0)
- effects of foreign body in nose (T17.0-T17.1)
- effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2)
- effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)
- frostbite (T33-T34)
- insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
Code Also
Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.
- for any associated infection
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Does S09.91XA require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S09.
Can S09.91XA be reported alongside related conditions?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes2 instructions, S09.91XA and the following are not considered part of each other and may both be reported when both conditions are present: burns and corrosions (T20-T32); effects of foreign body in ear (T16); effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3); effects of foreign body in mouth NOS (T18.0).
What conditions are included under S09.91XA?
Unspecified injury of ear, initial encounter includes: Injury of ear NOS.
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S09.91XA in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S09.90 — Unspecified injury of head
- S09.90XA — Unspecified injury of head, initial encounter
- S09.90XD — Unspecified injury of head, subsequent encounter
- S09.90XS — Unspecified injury of head, sequela
- S09.91 — Unspecified injury of ear
- S09.91XD — Unspecified injury of ear, subsequent encounter
- S09.91XS — Unspecified injury of ear, sequela
- S09.92 — Unspecified injury of nose
- S09.92XA — Unspecified injury of nose, initial encounter
- S09.92XD — Unspecified injury of nose, subsequent encounter