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ICD-10/S55.81

S55.81 ICD-10-CM Code: Laceration of other blood vessels at forearm level

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

Laceration of other blood vessels at forearm level is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (S55.81). A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission.

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S55.81 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 S55.81 be billed directly?

No. S55.81 (Laceration of other blood vessels 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 S55.81 require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S55.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S55.81 in its code family, with their registry titles.

  • S55.802S — Unspecified injury of other blood vessels at forearm level, left arm, sequela
  • S55.809 — Unspecified injury of other blood vessels at forearm level, unspecified arm
  • S55.809A — Unspecified injury of other blood vessels at forearm level, unspecified arm, initial encounter
  • S55.809D — Unspecified injury of other blood vessels at forearm level, unspecified arm, subsequent encounter
  • S55.809S — Unspecified injury of other blood vessels at forearm level, unspecified arm, sequela
  • S55.811 — Laceration of other blood vessels at forearm level, right arm
  • S55.811A — Laceration of other blood vessels at forearm level, right arm, initial encounter
  • S55.811D — Laceration of other blood vessels at forearm level, right arm, subsequent encounter
  • S55.811S — Laceration of other blood vessels at forearm level, right arm, sequela
  • S55.812 — Laceration of other blood vessels at forearm level, left arm

View all codes in the S55 family