S55.21 ICD-10-CM Code: Laceration of vein at forearm level
S55.21 is the authoritative medical code for Laceration of vein at forearm level. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for laceration of vein at forearm level (ICD-10-CM S55.21), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with current federal coding standards.
Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.
Code Set: Valid FY2026 and FY2027. FY2026 took effect October 1, 2025.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S55.21 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Excludes2 — Not Included Here
Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.
- injury of blood vessels at wrist and hand level (S65.-)
- injury of brachial vessels (S45.1-S45.2)
- 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 open wound (S51.-)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can S55.21 be billed directly?
No. S55.21 (Laceration of vein at forearm level) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.
Does S55.21 require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S55.
Can S55.21 be reported alongside related conditions?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes2 instructions, S55.21 and the following are not considered part of each other and may both be reported when both conditions are present: injury of blood vessels at wrist and hand level (S65.-); injury of brachial vessels (S45.1-S45.2); burns and corrosions (T20-T32); frostbite (T33-T34).
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S55.21 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- S55.202S — Unspecified injury of vein at forearm level, left arm, sequela
- S55.209 — Unspecified injury of vein at forearm level, unspecified arm
- S55.209A — Unspecified injury of vein at forearm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
- S55.209D — Unspecified injury of vein at forearm level, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter
- S55.209S — Unspecified injury of vein at forearm level, unspecified arm, sequela
- S55.211 — Laceration of vein at forearm level, right arm
- S55.211A — Laceration of vein at forearm level, right arm, initial encounter
- S55.211D — Laceration of vein at forearm level, right arm, subsequent encounter
- S55.211S — Laceration of vein at forearm level, right arm, sequela
- S55.212 — Laceration of vein at forearm level, left arm