S15.11 is the authoritative medical code for Minor laceration of vertebral artery. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for minor laceration of vertebral artery (ICD-10-CM S15.11), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with current 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
Minor laceration of vertebral artery is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code S15.11. A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission. Includes: injuries of nape; injuries of supraclavicular region; injuries of throat. Inclusion terms: Incomplete transection of vertebral artery; Laceration of vertebral artery NOS; Superficial laceration of vertebral artery. 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 also: any associated open wound S11.-. 7th character: The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S15.
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S15.11 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Includes
Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.
- injuries of nape
- injuries of supraclavicular region
- injuries of throat
Inclusion Terms
Alternative terms the tabular list files under this code.
- Incomplete transection of vertebral artery
- Laceration of vertebral artery NOS
- Superficial laceration of vertebral artery
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 Also
Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.
- any associated open wound S11.-
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can S15.11 be billed directly?
No. S15.11 (Minor laceration of vertebral artery) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
Does S15.11 require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S15.
Can S15.11 be reported alongside related conditions?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes2 instructions, S15.11 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).
What conditions are included under S15.11?
Minor laceration of vertebral artery includes: Incomplete transection of vertebral artery; Laceration of vertebral artery NOS; Superficial laceration of vertebral artery.
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S15.11 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S15.021A — Major laceration of right carotid artery, initial encounter
- S15.021D — Major laceration of right carotid artery, subsequent encounter
- S15.021S — Major laceration of right carotid artery, sequela
- S15.022 — Major laceration of left carotid artery
- S15.022A — Major laceration of left carotid artery, initial encounter
- S15.022D — Major laceration of left carotid artery, subsequent encounter
- S15.022S — Major laceration of left carotid artery, sequela
- S15.029 — Major laceration of unspecified carotid artery
- S15.029A — Major laceration of unspecified carotid artery, initial encounter
- S15.029D — Major laceration of unspecified carotid artery, subsequent encounter
View all 40 codes in the S15 family