S21.40
Header — not billableUnspecified open wound of back wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity
The ICD-10 code for unspecified open wound of back wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavity is S21.40.
S21.40 is a non-billable header code. It groups related conditions but cannot be used on its own for reimbursement — select one of the 3 more specific codes below.
Documentation support
General coding-documentation guidance — not a substitute for payer-specific requirements or professional coding judgment.
- •This is a non-billable header code. Documentation must support a more specific child code before this diagnosis can be reported on a claim.
- •This code describes an unspecified presentation. If the medical record documents a more specific detail (e.g. laterality, type, or affected site), a more specific sibling code should be used instead — see Related codes below.
- •As a general rule, code to the highest level of specificity supported by the documentation in the medical record.
Child codes under S21.40
Related codes in this category
- S21.41Laceration without foreign body of back wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavitynon-billable header
- S21.42Laceration with foreign body of back wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavitynon-billable header
- S21.43Puncture wound without foreign body of back wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavitynon-billable header
- S21.44Puncture wound with foreign body of back wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavitynon-billable header
- S21.45Open bite of back wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavitynon-billable header
- S21.40Unspecified open wound of back wall of thorax with penetration into thoracic cavitynon-billable header