S16 is the authoritative medical code for Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level (ICD-10-CM S16), 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
Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code S16. A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission. Includes: injuries of nape; injuries of supraclavicular region; injuries of throat. Excludes2 (not included here): sprain of joint or ligament at neck level S13.9; 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 S16.
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S16 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.
- sprain of joint or ligament at neck level S13.9
- 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 S16 be billed directly?
No. S16 (Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
Does S16 require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S16; A: initial encounter; D: subsequent encounter; S: sequela.
Can S16 be reported alongside related conditions?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes2 instructions, S16 and the following are not considered part of each other and may both be reported when both conditions are present: sprain of joint or ligament at neck level (S13.9); burns and corrosions (T20-T32); effects of foreign body in esophagus (T18.1); effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3).
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S16 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S16.1 — Strain of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level
- S16.2 — Laceration of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level
- S16.8 — Other specified injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level
- S16.9 — Unspecified injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at neck level