S40 is the authoritative medical code for Superficial injury of shoulder and upper arm. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for superficial injury of shoulder and upper arm (ICD-10-CM S40), 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
Superficial injury of shoulder and upper arm is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code S40. A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission. Includes: injuries of axilla; injuries of scapular region. Excludes2 (not included here): burns and corrosions T20-T32; frostbite T33-T34; injuries of elbow S50-S59; insect bite or sting, venomous T63.4. 7th character: The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S40.
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S40 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Includes
Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.
- injuries of axilla
- injuries of scapular region
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
- frostbite T33-T34
- injuries of elbow S50-S59
- insect bite or sting, venomous T63.4
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can S40 be billed directly?
No. S40 (Superficial injury of shoulder and upper arm) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
Does S40 require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S40; A: initial encounter; D: subsequent encounter; S: sequela.
Can S40 be reported alongside related conditions?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes2 instructions, S40 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); frostbite (T33-T34); injuries of elbow (S50-S59); insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4).
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S40 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S40.0 — Contusion of shoulder and upper arm
- S40.011 — Contusion of right shoulder
- S40.011A — Contusion of right shoulder, initial encounter
- S40.011D — Contusion of right shoulder, subsequent encounter
- S40.011S — Contusion of right shoulder, sequela
- S40.012 — Contusion of left shoulder
- S40.012A — Contusion of left shoulder, initial encounter
- S40.012D — Contusion of left shoulder, subsequent encounter
- S40.012S — Contusion of left shoulder, sequela
- S40.019 — Contusion of unspecified shoulder
View all 40 codes in the S40.0 family