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S20.34 ICD-10-CM Code: External constriction of front wall of thorax

Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

External constriction of front wall of thorax is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (S20.34). A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission.

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S20.34 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Includes

Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.

  • injuries of breast
  • injuries of chest (wall)
  • injuries of interscapular area

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

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

Frequently Compared Codes

The official Excludes notes on S20.34 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

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

Contextual Map

Every relationship of S20.34 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]

Nearest codes (40)

  • S20 — Superficial injury of thorax [Sibling]
  • S20.321 — Blister (nonthermal) of right front wall of thorax [Sibling]
  • S20.321A — Blister (nonthermal) of right front wall of thorax, initial encounter [Sibling]
  • S20.321D — Blister (nonthermal) of right front wall of thorax, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
  • S20.321S — Blister (nonthermal) of right front wall of thorax, sequela [Sibling]
  • S20.322 — Blister (nonthermal) of left front wall of thorax [Sibling]
  • S20.322A — Blister (nonthermal) of left front wall of thorax, initial encounter [Sibling]
  • S20.322D — Blister (nonthermal) of left front wall of thorax, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
  • and 32 more

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance

Can S20.34 be billed directly?

No. S20.34 (External constriction of front wall of thorax) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.

Does S20.34 require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S20.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S20.34 in its code family, with their registry titles.

  • S20.324S — Blister (nonthermal) of middle front wall of thorax, sequela
  • S20.329 — Blister (nonthermal) of unspecified front wall of thorax
  • S20.329A — Blister (nonthermal) of unspecified front wall of thorax, initial encounter
  • S20.329D — Blister (nonthermal) of unspecified front wall of thorax, subsequent encounter
  • S20.329S — Blister (nonthermal) of unspecified front wall of thorax, sequela
  • S20.341 — External constriction of right front wall of thorax
  • S20.341A — External constriction of right front wall of thorax, initial encounter
  • S20.341D — External constriction of right front wall of thorax, subsequent encounter
  • S20.341S — External constriction of right front wall of thorax, sequela
  • S20.342 — External constriction of left front wall of thorax

View all codes in the S20 family