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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

S03.8XXASprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, initial encounter

✓ Billable / specificRequires 7th character

S03.8XXA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, initial encounter. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.Short description: Sprain of joints and ligaments of oth prt head, init encntr

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About S03.8XXA

S03.8XXA is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of head, initial encounter. It belongs to category S03 (dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head), block S00-S09 (injuries to the head) and chapter 19 (injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

The 7th character "A" means initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.

It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 564 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC, relative weight 1.4908), DRG 565 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC, relative weight 0.9783), DRG 566 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.7378), DRG 963 (Other Multiple Significant Trauma with MCC, relative weight 2.6363), DRG 964 (Other Multiple Significant Trauma with CC, relative weight 1.4972) and DRG 965 (Other Multiple Significant Trauma without CC/MCC, relative weight 1.0059), in MDC 08 (Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue) and MDC 24 (Multiple Significant Trauma), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 848.0 (sprain of septal cartilage of nose) and 848.8 (other specified sites of sprains and strains).

7th character

Ainitial encounter

Other encounter types for S03.8:

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to S03.8XXA.

› From S03 Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head
Includes
  • avulsion of joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • laceration of cartilage, joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • sprain of cartilage, joint (capsule) or ligament of head
  • traumatic hemarthrosis of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic rupture of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic subluxation of joint or ligament of head
  • traumatic tear of joint or ligament of head
Excludes2
  • Strain of muscle or tendon of head (S09.1)
Code also
  • any associated open wound

Broader instructions also apply from S00-S09 Injuries to the head and Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 848.0Sprain of septal cartilage of noseapproximate
  • 848.8Other specified sites of sprains and strainsapproximate

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about S03.8XXA

Is S03.8XXA billable?

Yes. S03.8XXA is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

What does the "A" at the end of S03.8XXA mean?

It is the 7th character for initial encounter. Per the official guidelines, use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.

Can S03.8XXA be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict S03.8XXA as a principal diagnosis.

Is S03.8XXA a CC or MCC?

No. S03.8XXA is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does S03.8XXA group to?

S03.8XXA is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 564 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC), MS-DRG 565 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC), MS-DRG 566 (Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC), MS-DRG 963 (Other Multiple Significant Trauma with MCC), MS-DRG 964 (Other Multiple Significant Trauma with CC) and MS-DRG 965 (Other Multiple Significant Trauma without CC/MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for S03.8XXA?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map S03.8XXA to ICD-9-CM 848.0 and 848.8.