S51.852A is the authoritative medical code for Open bite of left forearm, initial encounter. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for open bite of left forearm, initial encounter (ICD-10-CM S51.852A), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with 2026 federal coding standards.
Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Open bite of left forearm, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code S51.852A. Excludes1 (not coded here): superficial bite of forearm (S50.86, S50.87); open fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character); traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm S58.-. Excludes2 (not included here): open wound of elbow S51.0-; open wound of wrist and hand S61.-; burns and corrosions T20-T32; frostbite T33-T34; injuries of wrist and hand S60-S69; insect bite or sting, venomous T63.4. Code also: any associated wound infection. 7th character: The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S51.
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S51.852A in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Excludes1 — Not Coded Here
Conditions that can never be reported with this code; the two are mutually exclusive.
- superficial bite of forearm (S50.86, S50.87)
- open fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character)
- traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm S58.-
Excludes2 — Not Included Here
Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.
- open wound of elbow S51.0-
- open wound of wrist and hand S61.-
- burns and corrosions T20-T32
- frostbite T33-T34
- injuries of wrist and hand S60-S69
- insect bite or sting, venomous T63.4
Code Also
Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.
- any associated wound infection
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Does S51.852A require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S51.
What can't be coded together with S51.852A?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes1 instructions, S51.852A must not be reported together with: superficial bite of forearm (S50.86, S50.87); open fracture of elbow and forearm (S52.- with open fracture 7th character); traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm (S58.-).
Can S51.852A be reported alongside related conditions?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes2 instructions, S51.852A and the following are not considered part of each other and may both be reported when both conditions are present: open wound of elbow (S51.0-); open wound of wrist and hand (S61.-); burns and corrosions (T20-T32); frostbite (T33-T34).
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S51.852A in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S51 — Open wound of elbow and forearm
- S51.0 — Open wound of elbow
- S51.00 — Unspecified open wound of elbow
- S51.001 — Unspecified open wound of right elbow
- S51.001A — Unspecified open wound of right elbow, initial encounter
- S51.001D — Unspecified open wound of right elbow, subsequent encounter
- S51.001S — Unspecified open wound of right elbow, sequela
- S51.002 — Unspecified open wound of left elbow
- S51.002A — Unspecified open wound of left elbow, initial encounter
- S51.002D — Unspecified open wound of left elbow, subsequent encounter
View all 40 codes in the S51 family