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S68.019 ICD-10-CM Code: Complete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of unspecified thumb

Compare with another code for S68.019Check this code on a claim

Billing Status: NO. This is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code: report a more specific billable code beneath it.

Coding at a Glance

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

Not billable · FY2027A non-billable heading in the tabular list: report a more specific code beneath it.

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, and is marked with where it comes from.

7th character:required: report a code with a 7th character· The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S68See the 7th character note

Excludes2from S60-S69Not included here; may be reported together

Where it sits Source: CMS/NCHS

Under:Chapter 19: Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External CausesS60-S69 Injuries to the wrist, hand and fingersS68 Traumatic amputation of wrist, hand and fingersS68.0 Traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of thumbS68.01 Complete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of thumb

Codes under S68.019 (3)

  • S68.019AComplete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of unspecified thumb, initial encounterBillable
  • S68.019DComplete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of unspecified thumb, subsequent encounterBillable
  • S68.019SComplete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of unspecified thumb, sequelaBillable

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

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for S68.019 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 S68.019 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.

Source: inherited from S60-S69

7th Character Guide

"The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S68"

  • A — initial encounter
  • 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

S68.019A, S68.019D, S68.019S

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 S68.019

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

Before you code S68.019

  1. S68.019 is not reportable as written. Select the more specific code beneath it that the documentation supports. Codes are reported to the highest level of specificity the classification provides (Guidelines I.B.2).

    ReviewS68.019A, S68.019D, S68.019S

    See the relationships section · Guide: How to choose an ICD-10-CM code →

  2. A 7th character is required in this family. Confirm the documented encounter: initial (active treatment), subsequent (healing or recovery phase), or sequela. S68.019 is not valid without one. “Initial” means active treatment, not the first visit (Guidelines I.C.19.a).

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

  3. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the side documented — right, left, or bilateral — and select the matching code (this page’s code: unspecified). 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).

    ReviewS68.011 · right, S68.012 · left

    Guide: Laterality coding →

  4. 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. Does the documentation support one of the more specific codes beneath S68.019?
    Yes → Select that code and continue the checks below on its own page.
    No → S68.019 cannot be reported as written. Where the codes beneath it include an unspecified code, that code applies when the record goes no further; otherwise query for the missing detail.

    ReviewS68.019A, S68.019D, S68.019S

  2. 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.

    ReviewS68.011 · right, S68.012 · left

  3. 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.

Report the code beneath S68.019 that the documentation supports, not S68.019 itself. Then confirm that code is valid for the date of service on its own page.

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).
Any detail beyond this code’s title
What the record states that a more specific code would capture — or its absence, which itself supports the unspecified code.

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes2 — not part of S68.019(3 notes)

    Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in S68.019. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

    CompareT63.4

    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 provider documents the condition in the terms of this code’s title and records no further detail.

Coding question: Is a more specific sibling code supportable?

Path: Review the specific siblings in this subcategory and what each requires the record to state.

Reason: A more specific code needs documentation of the distinguishing element; without it the unspecified code is appropriate, and a provider query is the route to specificity (Guidelines I.A.9.b, I.B.18).

ReviewS68.011, S68.012

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).

ReviewS68.011 · right, S68.012 · left

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.

Don’t confuse S68.019 with…

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

The codes most likely to be picked instead of S68.019 — 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.

  • S68.011— Laterality relationship (Review)

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

    The same condition with a different side named (the opposite side, both sides, or none); 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 S68.011.

    Full comparison: S68.019 vs S68.011 →

  • S68.012— Laterality relationship (Review)

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

    The same condition with a different side named (the opposite side, both sides, or none); 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 left side moves the case to S68.012.

    Full comparison: S68.019 vs S68.012 →

  • S68.019A— 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 initial encounter moves the case to S68.019A.

    Full comparison: S68.019 vs S68.019A →

  • S68.019D— 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 S68.019D.

    Full comparison: S68.019 vs S68.019D →

  • 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: S68.019 vs T20 →

  • T32— 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 T32; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: S68.019 vs T32 →

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.

Coding context

Guidelines, coding notes, decision aids, relationships (with MS-DRG and CCSR classification), hierarchy, HCC, coverage and the context map: what a coder reaches for after the core. Each section names whether it is official source data, a MedCoder-derived relationship or MedCoder editorial.

Code Overview

Complete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of unspecified thumb is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (S68.019). A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission.

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

Verify Before Coding

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 S68.019 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 4 Excludes1 notes: S58 — Traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm (via S68.-), S58.9 — Traumatic amputation of forearm, level unspecified (via S68.-), S61 — Open wound of wrist, hand and fingers (via S68.-), S62 — Fracture at wrist and hand level (via S68.-).

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

Referenced by 12 Excludes2 notes: S50 — Superficial injury of elbow and forearm (via S68.-), S50-S59 — Injuries to the elbow and forearm (S50-S59) (via S68.-), S51 — Open wound of elbow and forearm (via S68.-), S52 — Fracture of forearm (via S68.-), S53 — Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of elbow (via S68.-), S54 — Injury of nerves at forearm level (via S68.-), S55 — Injury of blood vessels at forearm level (via S68.-), S56 — Injury of muscle, fascia and tendon at forearm level (via S68.-), S57 — Crushing injury of elbow and forearm (via S68.-), S58 — Traumatic amputation of elbow and forearm (via S68.-), S59 — Other and unspecified injuries of elbow and forearm (via S68.-), S68.1 — Traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of other and unspecified finger (via S68.0.-).

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

Related Codes

Same condition, different side

Same title, differing only in which side of the body it names: right, left, bilateral or unspecified.

S68.011 — Complete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of right thumb (right)Compare S68.019 vs S68.011 →, S68.012 — Complete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of left thumb (left)Compare S68.019 vs S68.012 →

Same Index main term, other category

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

S48.11 — Complete traumatic amputation at level between shoulder and elbow (traumatic, arm, between, shoulder and elbow), S48.12 — Partial traumatic amputation at level between shoulder and elbow (traumatic, arm, between, shoulder and elbow, partial), S48.91 — Complete traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm, level unspecified (traumatic, arm), S48.92 — Partial traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm, level unspecified (traumatic, arm, partial), S58.01 — Complete traumatic amputation at elbow level (traumatic, arm, at, elbow), S58.02 — Partial traumatic amputation at elbow level (traumatic, arm, at, elbow, partial), S58.11 — Complete traumatic amputation at level between elbow and wrist (traumatic, arm, between, elbow and wrist), S58.12 — Partial traumatic amputation at level between elbow and wrist (traumatic, arm, between, elbow and wrist, partial), S58.91 — Complete traumatic amputation of forearm, level unspecified (traumatic, forearm), S58.92 — Partial traumatic amputation of forearm, level unspecified (traumatic, forearm, partial), S78.01 — Complete traumatic amputation at hip joint (traumatic, hip, at hip joint), S78.02 — Partial traumatic amputation at hip joint (traumatic, hip, at hip joint, partial), S78.11 — Complete traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee (traumatic, hip, between hip and knee), S78.12 — Partial traumatic amputation at level between hip and knee (traumatic, hip, between hip and knee, partial), S78.91 — Complete traumatic amputation of hip and thigh, level unspecified (traumatic, hip), S78.92 — Partial traumatic amputation of hip and thigh, level unspecified (traumatic, hip, partial), S88.01 — Complete traumatic amputation at knee level (traumatic, leg, at knee level), S88.02 — Partial traumatic amputation at knee level (traumatic, leg, at knee level, partial), S88.11 — Complete traumatic amputation at level between knee and ankle (traumatic, leg, between knee and ankle), S88.12 — Partial traumatic amputation at level between knee and ankle (traumatic, leg, between knee and ankle, partial), +33 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of S68.019 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 S68.019 with these 12 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

Referenced by Excludes2 notes (12)

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

Reference

Index terms and tables, 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

Can S68.019 be billed directly?

No. S68.019 (Complete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of unspecified thumb) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.

Does S68.019 require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S68.

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
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 28, 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. "S68.019 — Complete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of unspecified thumb." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/s68.019-complete-traumatic-metacarpophalangeal-amputation-of-unspecified-thumb

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Complete traumatic metacarpophalangeal amputation of unspecified thumb

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 S68.019 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the S68 family