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S15.9XXA ICD-10-CM Code: Injury of unspecified blood vessel at neck level, initial encounter

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, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 011 — TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITH MCC (MDC PRE)
  • MS-DRG 012 — TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITH CC (MDC PRE)
  • MS-DRG 013 — TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC PRE)
  • MS-DRG 913 — TRAUMATIC INJURY WITH MCC (MDC 21)
  • MS-DRG 914 — TRAUMATIC INJURY WITHOUT MCC (MDC 21)
  • 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.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

Injury of unspecified blood vessel at neck level, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S15.9A).

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S15.9XXA 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

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

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

Code Also

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

  • any associated open wound (S11.-)

Frequently Compared Codes

The official Excludes notes on S15.9XXA name these codes. Each comparison page covers when the two can — or must not — be reported together.

Change history

No changes recorded for this code — unchanged since the FY2016 baseline of the change ledger.

Verify Before Coding

  • CC as a secondary diagnosis (FY2026). Can raise the stay's MS-DRG severity tier.

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

Relationships & Classification

Other codes that name S15.9XXA 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.

1 Excludes1 notes: S09.0 (via S15.-).

1 Use Additional Code instructions: S17 (via S15.-).

Potential MS-DRG Relationships (FY2026)

CC — Complication or Comorbidity. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, this code raises the stay's MS-DRG severity tier — except when the principal diagnosis is one of 30 clinically related codes on its CMS exclusion list.

Named in the grouper logic of 8 MS-DRGs: DRG 011 (MDC PRE), DRG 012 (MDC PRE), DRG 013 (MDC PRE), DRG 913 (MDC 21), DRG 914 (MDC 21), 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):INJ016 — Injury to blood vessels, 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 clinical process (MS-DRG)

Acts as CC — raises the severity of other admissions. CMS groups these diagnoses into one MS-DRG principal-diagnosis exclusion process — a CC/MCC on this list never raises severity when the principal diagnosis is also on it.

S15.311A — Minor laceration of right internal jugular vein, initial encounter, S15.312A — Minor laceration of left internal jugular vein, initial encounter, S15.319A — Minor laceration of unspecified internal jugular vein, initial encounter, S15.321A — Major laceration of right internal jugular vein, initial encounter, S15.322A — Major laceration of left internal jugular vein, initial encounter, S15.329A — Major laceration of unspecified internal jugular vein, initial encounter, S15.391A — Other specified injury of right internal jugular vein, initial encounter, S15.392A — Other specified injury of left internal jugular vein, initial encounter, S15.399A — Other specified injury of unspecified internal jugular vein, initial encounter, S15.8XXA — Injury of other specified blood vessels at neck level, initial encounter, T07.XXXA — Unspecified multiple injuries, initial encounter, T14.8XXA — Other injury of unspecified body region, initial encounter, T14.90XA — Injury, unspecified, initial encounter, T14.91XA — Suicide attempt, initial encounter, T79.8XXA — Other early complications of trauma, initial encounter, T79.9XXA — Unspecified early complication of trauma, initial encounter, T79.A0XA — Compartment syndrome, unspecified, initial encounter, T79.A11A — Traumatic compartment syndrome of right upper extremity, initial encounter, T79.A12A — Traumatic compartment syndrome of left upper extremity, initial encounter, T79.A19A — Traumatic compartment syndrome of unspecified upper extremity, initial encounter, +45 more

Same injury, other encounter phase

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

S15.9XXD — Injury of unspecified blood vessel at neck level, subsequent encounter Compare S15.9XXA vs S15.9XXD →, S15.9XXS — Injury of unspecified blood vessel at neck level, sequela Compare S15.9XXA vs S15.9XXS →

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Injury to blood vessels, initial encounter).

+570 more

Lab tests where this diagnosis supports Medicare coverage

Medicare's National Coverage Determinations list this diagnosis as medical justification for these lab tests.

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) Test, Prothrombin Time Test and INR (PT/INR)

Contextual Map

Every relationship of S15.9XXA 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.

Hierarchy

  • S00-T88 — Chapter 19: Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88) (S00-T88) [Hierarchy]
  • S10-S19 — Injuries to the neck [Hierarchy]

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

  • S09.0 — Injury of blood vessels of head, not elsewhere classified [Excludes1](via S15.-): “injury of precerebral blood vessels (S15.-)” · check together

Referenced by Use Additional Code instructions

  • S17 — Crushing injury of neck [Use Additional Code](via S15.-): “injury of blood vessels (S15.-)” · check together

Clinical classification (CCSR)

  • INJ016 — Injury to blood vessels, initial encounter [CCSR]

Potential MS-DRG

  • CC — Complication or Comorbidity [MS-DRG severity]: “As a secondary diagnosis this code can raise the stay's MS-DRG severity tier (CC).”
  • DRG 011 — TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITH MCC [MS-DRG]: “TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITH MCC (MDC PRE)”
  • DRG 012 — TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITH CC [MS-DRG]: “TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITH CC (MDC PRE)”
  • DRG 013 — TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITHOUT CC/MCC [MS-DRG]: “TRACHEOSTOMY FOR FACE, MOUTH AND NECK DIAGNOSES OR LARYNGECTOMY WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC PRE)”
  • DRG 913 — TRAUMATIC INJURY WITH MCC [MS-DRG]: “TRAUMATIC INJURY WITH MCC (MDC 21)”
  • DRG 914 — TRAUMATIC INJURY WITHOUT MCC [MS-DRG]: “TRAUMATIC INJURY WITHOUT MCC (MDC 21)”
  • DRG 963 — OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITH MCC [MS-DRG]: “OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITH MCC (MDC 24)”
  • DRG 964 — OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITH CC [MS-DRG]: “OTHER MULTIPLE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA WITH CC (MDC 24)”
  • and 1 more

MDC crossing · procedures (55139)

  • Pre-MDC[MDC crossing]: “Pre-MDC — 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.”
  • MDC 21 — Injuries, Poisonings and Toxic Effects of Drugs [MDC crossing]: “Injuries, Poisonings and Toxic Effects of Drugs — 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.”
  • 02HA0QZ — Insertion of Implantable Heart Assist System into Heart, Open Approach [Same-MDC procedure]: “Insertion of Implantable Heart Assist System into Heart, Open Approach — grouped in MDC PRE, the procedure side of this code's crossing.” · check together
  • 02HA0RZ — Insertion of Short-term External Heart Assist System into Heart, Open Approach [Same-MDC procedure]: “Insertion of Short-term External Heart Assist System into Heart, Open Approach — grouped in MDC PRE, the procedure side of this code's crossing.” · check together
  • 02HA3QZ — Insertion of Implantable Heart Assist System into Heart, Percutaneous Approach [Same-MDC procedure]: “Insertion of Implantable Heart Assist System into Heart, Percutaneous Approach — grouped in MDC PRE, the procedure side of this code's crossing.” · check together
  • 02HA4QZ — Insertion of Implantable Heart Assist System into Heart, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach [Same-MDC procedure]: “Insertion of Implantable Heart Assist System into Heart, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach — grouped in MDC PRE, the procedure side of this code's crossing.” · check together
  • 02RA0LZ — Replacement of Heart with Biologic and Synthetic Substitute, Autoregulated Electrohydraulic, Open Approach [Same-MDC procedure]: “Replacement of Heart with Biologic and Synthetic Substitute, Autoregulated Electrohydraulic, Open Approach — grouped in MDC PRE, the procedure side of this code's crossing.” · check together
  • and 55134 more

Nearest codes (40)

  • S15 — Injury of blood vessels at neck level [Sibling]
  • S15.312A — Minor laceration of left internal jugular vein, initial encounter [Sibling]
  • S15.312D — Minor laceration of left internal jugular vein, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
  • S15.312S — Minor laceration of left internal jugular vein, sequela [Sibling]
  • S15.319 — Minor laceration of unspecified internal jugular vein [Sibling]
  • S15.319A — Minor laceration of unspecified internal jugular vein, initial encounter [Sibling]
  • S15.319D — Minor laceration of unspecified internal jugular vein, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
  • S15.319S — Minor laceration of unspecified internal jugular vein, sequela [Sibling]
  • and 32 more

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance

Does S15.9XXA require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S15.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S15.9XXA in its code family, with their registry titles.

  • S15.399 — Other specified injury of unspecified internal jugular vein
  • S15.399A — Other specified injury of unspecified internal jugular vein, initial encounter
  • S15.399D — Other specified injury of unspecified internal jugular vein, subsequent encounter
  • S15.399S — Other specified injury of unspecified internal jugular vein, sequela
  • S15.8 — Injury of other specified blood vessels at neck level
  • S15.8XXA — Injury of other specified blood vessels at neck level, initial encounter
  • S15.8XXD — Injury of other specified blood vessels at neck level, subsequent encounter
  • S15.8XXS — Injury of other specified blood vessels at neck level, sequela
  • S15.9 — Injury of unspecified blood vessel at neck level
  • S15.9XXD — Injury of unspecified blood vessel at neck level, subsequent encounter

View all codes in the S15 family