S12.00 is the authoritative medical code for Unspecified fracture of first cervical vertebra. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for unspecified fracture of first cervical vertebra (ICD-10-CM S12.00), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with 2026 federal coding standards.
Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Unspecified fracture of first cervical vertebra is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code S12.00. A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission. Includes: fracture of cervical neural arch; fracture of cervical spine; fracture of cervical spinous process; fracture of cervical transverse process; fracture of cervical vertebral arch; fracture of neck; injuries of nape; injuries of supraclavicular region; injuries of throat. Excludes2 (not included here): burns and corrosions T20-T32; effects of foreign body in esophagus T18.1; effects of foreign body in larynx T17.3; effects of foreign body in pharynx T17.2; effects of foreign body in trachea T17.4; frostbite T33-T34; insect bite or sting, venomous T63.4. Code first: any associated cervical spinal cord injury (S14.0, S14.1-). 7th character: The appropriate 7th character is to be added to all codes from subcategories S12.0-S12.6.
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S12.00 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Includes
Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.
- fracture of cervical neural arch
- fracture of cervical spine
- fracture of cervical spinous process
- fracture of cervical transverse process
- fracture of cervical vertebral arch
- fracture of neck
- injuries of nape
- injuries of supraclavicular region
- injuries of throat
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 esophagus T18.1
- effects of foreign body in larynx T17.3
- effects of foreign body in pharynx T17.2
- effects of foreign body in trachea T17.4
- frostbite T33-T34
- insect bite or sting, venomous T63.4
Code First
Underlying conditions that must be sequenced before this code.
- any associated cervical spinal cord injury (S14.0, S14.1-)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can S12.00 be billed directly?
No. S12.00 (Unspecified fracture of first cervical vertebra) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
Does S12.00 require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to all codes from subcategories S12.0-S12.6.
Can S12.00 be reported alongside related conditions?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes2 instructions, S12.00 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 esophagus (T18.1); effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3); effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2).
Does S12.00 need to be sequenced after another code?
Yes. Code first: any associated cervical spinal cord injury (S14.0, S14.1-).
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S12.00 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S12 — Fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck
- S12.0 — Fracture of first cervical vertebra
- S12.000 — Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra
- S12.000A — Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
- S12.000B — Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture
- S12.000D — Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
- S12.000G — Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
- S12.000K — Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
- S12.000S — Unspecified displaced fracture of first cervical vertebra, sequela
- S12.001 — Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of first cervical vertebra
View all 40 codes in the S12 family