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S50.02XA ICD-10-CM Code: Contusion of left elbow, initial encounter

Compare with another codeCheck this code on a claim

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Coding at a Glance

7th character
Required — see the character table on this page
Tabular directives
5 Excludes2

Billable · FY2027A valid, specific ICD-10-CM code, reportable for dates of service in FY2027.

What you need to know

Source: CMS/NCHS Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes, quoted. From the CMS/NCHS tabular list for the release in force. A note the category or block publishes applies to this code too; the Instructions section marks which is which.

Excludes2Not included here; may be reported together
  • superficial injury of wrist and hand (S60.-)
  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • injuries of wrist and hand (S60-S69)

+1 more in Instructions

Most relevant related codes MedCoder-derived

Read off the official notes above and this code’s own position in the tabular list. Which to report is a documentation question; Compare shows the two side by side.

CompareCheck ClaimView Related Codes

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v44, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 604 — TRAUMA TO THE SKIN, SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE AND BREAST WITH MCC (MDC 09)
  • MS-DRG 605 — TRAUMA TO THE SKIN, SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE AND BREAST WITHOUT MCC (MDC 09)
  • 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.

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for S50.02XA in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2027Effective: October 1, 2026

Trace:FY2027 changesChange historyRelease, file and checksum

Notes without a marker are published on S50.02XA itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

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

7th Character Guide

"The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S50"

  • A — initial encounter (this page’s code)
  • D — subsequent encounter
  • S — sequela

How the encounter character is assigned. “Initial encounter” means the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition — it is not limited to the first visit, and a different or new provider giving active treatment still assigns it. “Subsequent encounter” covers care during the healing or recovery phase after active treatment. “Sequela” is for complications or conditions that arise as a direct result of the original condition.

ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, Section I.C.19.a (paraphrased by MedCoder).

Variant codes in this family

S50.02XA, S50.02XD, S50.02XS

Character meanings are CMS's official 7th-character extensions for this family, as carried in each variant code's official description; variant codes are registry rows. The explanation of how the encounter character is assigned is MedCoder editorial, distinct from the official content above it.

Coder workflow for S50.02XA

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code S50.02XA

  1. A 7th character is required in this family. Confirm the documented encounter: initial (active treatment), subsequent (healing or recovery phase), or sequela. This page’s code carries “A”. “Initial” means active treatment, not the first visit (Guidelines I.C.19.a).

    See the 7th Character Guide · Guide: 7th characters: initial, subsequent, sequela →

  2. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the side documented — right, left, or bilateral — and select the matching code (this page’s code: left). The unspecified-side code applies only when the record states no side. Laterality is assigned from the documented side; where a bilateral code exists and both sides are documented, it is used instead of two unilateral codes (Guidelines I.B.13).

    See the relationships section · Guide: Laterality coding →

  3. Confirm the injury type, the anatomical site at the most specific level documented, laterality where the family codes it, and the encounter for the 7th character. Each injury is coded separately unless the classification provides a combination code, and a superficial injury is not coded when a more severe injury of the same site is documented. Injury chapter guidelines (Guidelines I.C.19.b, I.C.19.b.1).

    Guide: 7th characters: initial, subsequent, sequela →

Choose the right path

  1. Is the side documented?
    Yes → Select the code for the documented side (or the bilateral code when both sides are documented and one exists).
    No → Use the unspecified-side code only when the record states no side; a query is the alternative.
  2. Is the encounter phase documented — active treatment, healing or recovery, or a sequela?
    Yes → Assign the matching 7th character; the variant codes are in the 7th Character Guide.
    No → The code is invalid without its 7th character — query for the missing element.

Consider S50.02XA. Then confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement
Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).
Anatomical site
At the most specific level the record states; a site the classification separates cannot be assumed from a procedure or a measurement.
Laterality
Right, left or bilateral as documented; unspecified only when the record states no side (Guidelines I.B.13).
Encounter type
Active treatment, healing or recovery phase, or sequela — the basis of the 7th character (Guidelines I.C.19.a).
External cause, place and activity
For the external cause codes reported with the injury or poisoning, where documented (Guidelines I.C.20.a).

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes2 — not part of S50.02XA(5 notes)

    Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in S50.02XA. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

    CompareS60, T63.4

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Documentation: The patient returns during the healing or recovery phase after active treatment of the same condition.

Coding question: Which 7th character applies?

Path: Review the official 7th-character definitions for this family in the 7th Character Guide.

Reason: “Initial encounter” means active treatment, not the first visit; care during recovery takes “subsequent encounter”, and a complication arising from the original condition takes “sequela” (Guidelines I.C.19.a).

Documentation: The record documents the condition on one side only.

Coding question: Which code in this family applies?

Path: Select the sibling code for the documented side.

Reason: Laterality is assigned from the documented side; the unspecified-side code is for records that state no side (Guidelines I.B.13).

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Coding context

The comparisons, hierarchy, index entries, guidelines, relationships, risk-adjustment and coverage context a coder commonly needs. Each section names whether it is official source data, a MedCoder-derived relationship or MedCoder editorial.

Don’t confuse S50.02XA with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of S50.02XA — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

  • S50.01XA— Laterality relationship (Review)

    Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

    The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

    What moves you there: A documented right side moves the case to S50.01XA.

    Full comparison: S50.02XA vs S50.01XA →

  • S50.00XA— Laterality relationship (Review)

    Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

    The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

    What moves you there: A record that states no side takes S50.00XA; a documented side moves it back to a sided code.

    Full comparison: S50.02XA vs S50.00XA →

  • S50.02XD— Encounter relationship (Review)

    Same underlying diagnosis, different encounter phase.

    The same diagnosis at a different phase of care; one encounter takes one 7th character.

    What moves you there: Documentation of a subsequent encounter moves the case to S50.02XD.

    Full comparison: S50.02XA vs S50.02XD →

  • S50.02XS— Encounter relationship (Review)

    Same underlying diagnosis, different encounter phase.

    The same diagnosis at a different phase of care; one encounter takes one 7th character.

    What moves you there: Documentation of a sequela moves the case to S50.02XS.

    Full comparison: S50.02XA vs S50.02XS →

  • S60— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of superficial injury of wrist and hand adds S60; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: S50.02XA vs S60 →

  • T20— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of burns and corrosions adds T20; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: S50.02XA vs T20 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Code Overview

Contusion of left elbow, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (S50.02XA).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Decision Points

The directives on this code's own record, as a pre-claim checklist.

  1. A 7th character applies in this family. Confirm the documented encounter matches the character assigned. See the official 7th-character definitions and this code’s variants
  2. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the documented side matches the code — the opposite-side siblings are in the relationships section. See the opposite-side sibling codes
  3. 5 Excludes2 entries — those conditions are not part of this code and may be reported additionally when documented. See the Excludes2 notes

Checklist rows are derived from this code's own official directives; the wording of each check is MedCoder editorial. The official notes themselves are in the sections each row links to.

Verify Before Coding

  • No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

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

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder-derived relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name S50.02XA 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.

Referenced by 11 Excludes2 notes: S40 — Superficial injury of shoulder and upper arm (via S50.-), S40-S49 — Injuries to the shoulder and upper arm (S40-S49) (via S50.-), S41 — Open wound of shoulder and upper arm (via S50.-), S42 — Fracture of shoulder and upper arm (via S50.-), S43 — Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of shoulder girdle (via S50.-), S44 — Injury of nerves at shoulder and upper arm level (via S50.-), S45 — Injury of blood vessels at shoulder and upper arm level (via S50.-), S46 — Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at shoulder and upper arm level (via S50.-), S47 — Crushing injury of shoulder and upper arm (via S50.-), S48 — Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm (via S50.-), S49 — Other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm (via S50.-).

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2027)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2027 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 5 MS-DRGs: DRG 604 (MDC 09), DRG 605 (MDC 09), 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):INJ017 — Superficial injury; contusion, 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 condition, opposite side

Same category and title, differing only in which side of the body is affected.

S50.00XA — Contusion of unspecified elbow, initial encounter (unspecified)Compare S50.02XA vs S50.00XA →, S50.01XA — Contusion of right elbow, initial encounter (right)Compare S50.02XA vs S50.01XA →

Same injury, other encounter phase

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

S50.02XD — Contusion of left elbow, subsequent encounterCompare S50.02XA vs S50.02XD →, S50.02XS — Contusion of left elbow, sequelaCompare S50.02XA vs S50.02XS →

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Superficial injury; contusion, initial encounter).

+763 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Contusion”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

S37.521 — Contusion of fallopian tube, unilateral (fallopian tube, unilateral), S37.522 — Contusion of fallopian tube, bilateral (fallopian tube, bilateral), S37.529 — Contusion of fallopian tube, unspecified (fallopian tube), S37.62 — Contusion of uterus (uterus), S37.812 — Contusion of adrenal gland (adrenal gland), S37.822 — Contusion of prostate (prostate), S37.892 — Contusion of other urinary and pelvic organ (mesosalpinx), S37.92 — Contusion of unspecified urinary and pelvic organ (pelvic organ), S40.01 — Contusion of shoulder (shoulder), S40.02 — Contusion of upper arm (arm), S60.00 — Contusion of unspecified finger without damage to nail (finger), S60.01 — Contusion of thumb without damage to nail (thumb), S60.02 — Contusion of index finger without damage to nail (finger, index), S60.03 — Contusion of middle finger without damage to nail (finger, middle), S60.04 — Contusion of ring finger without damage to nail (finger, ring), S60.05 — Contusion of little finger without damage to nail (finger, little), S60.10 — Contusion of unspecified finger with damage to nail (finger, with damage to nail), S60.11 — Contusion of thumb with damage to nail (thumb, with damage to nail), S60.12 — Contusion of index finger with damage to nail (finger, index, with damage to nail), S60.13 — Contusion of middle finger with damage to nail (finger, middle, with damage to nail), +85 more

Lab tests where this diagnosis supports Medicare coverage (NCD)

Medicare's National Coverage Determination (NCD) program lists 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 S50.02XA 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.

Run S50.02XA with these 8 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes2 notes (11)

Clinical classification (CCSR)

MS-DRG Grouper

MDC crossing

  • MDC 09 — Diseases and Disorders of the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast — 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. 7,378 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027
  • MDC 24 — Multiple Significant Trauma[MDC crossing]: “Multiple Significant Trauma — 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. 22,991 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027

Nearest codes (40)

Change history

  • FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Deep reference

Published questions and FAQ, every source behind this page with its release and checksum, the date-of-service check and the complete change history.

Common coding questions

MedCoder editorial

Does S50.02XA require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S50.

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Inpatient payment groups Official source data
CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v44 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder-derived relationship
Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder editorial explanation
Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Current data releases:ICD-10-CM FY2027 · ICD-10-PCS FY2027 · HCPCS October 2026 · MS-DRG v44 · Medicare Code Editor v44.0 · NCCI PTP Q4 2026 · MUE Q4 2026 · NCD code lists 2026-01 · LCD export September 20, 2026 · All releases and sources

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder-derived relationship · MedCoder editorial explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates · CMS coding rules

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "S50.02XA — Contusion of left elbow, initial encounter." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/s50.02xa-contusion-of-left-elbow-initial-encounter

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Contusion of left elbow, initial encounter

No changes since FY2016 — additions, deletions, description changes and billable-status changes are tracked through FY2027, and none are recorded for this code. Note changes are tracked from FY2027 only.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S50.02XA in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the S50 family