S44.50 ICD-10-CM Code: Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, unspecified arm
Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S44.50 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.
- injury of brachial plexus (S14.3-) Compare S44.50 vs S14.3 →
- burns and corrosions (T20-T32) Compare S44.50 vs T20 →
- frostbite (T33-T34) Compare S44.50 vs T33 →
- injuries of elbow (S50-S59) Compare S44.50 vs S50 →
- insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4) Compare S44.50 vs T63.4 →
Code Also
Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.
- any associated open wound (S41.-)
Change history
No changes recorded for this code — unchanged since the FY2016 baseline of the change ledger.
Verify Before Coding
- Not billable as written — a more specific code is required: S44.50XA, S44.50XD, S44.50XS.
- Requires a 7th character. "The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S44" Options: S44.50XA, S44.50XD, S44.50XS
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 S44.50 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)
- S44 — Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level [Sibling]
- S44.31XD — Injury of axillary nerve, right arm, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
- S44.31XS — Injury of axillary nerve, right arm, sequela [Sibling]
- S44.32 — Injury of axillary nerve, left arm [Sibling]
- S44.32XA — Injury of axillary nerve, left arm, initial encounter [Sibling]
- S44.32XD — Injury of axillary nerve, left arm, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
- S44.32XS — Injury of axillary nerve, left arm, sequela [Sibling]
- S44.4 — Injury of musculocutaneous nerve [Sibling]
- and 32 more
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can S44.50 be billed directly?
No. S44.50 (Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, unspecified arm) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
Does S44.50 require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S44.
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S44.50 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S44.42 — Injury of musculocutaneous nerve, left arm
- S44.42XA — Injury of musculocutaneous nerve, left arm, initial encounter
- S44.42XD — Injury of musculocutaneous nerve, left arm, subsequent encounter
- S44.42XS — Injury of musculocutaneous nerve, left arm, sequela
- S44.5 — Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level
- S44.50XA — Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
- S44.50XD — Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter
- S44.50XS — Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, unspecified arm, sequela
- S44.51 — Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, right arm
- S44.51XA — Injury of cutaneous sensory nerve at shoulder and upper arm level, right arm, initial encounter