All ICD10 Codes
S12Not billable, use a more specific code below

Fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck

In Injuries to the neck (S10-S19), chapter 19: Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes

420 billable codes under S12: 70 are an MCC, 139 are a CC; 140 map to HCC 401 (Vertebral Fractures without Spinal Cord Injury).A CC or MCC (major CC) is a secondary diagnosis that raises the MS-DRG payment. An HCC counts toward a Medicare Advantage patient's risk score.

Advertisements

Instructional notes

Includes: conditions that are coded here

  • fracture of cervical neural arch
  • fracture of cervical spine
  • fracture of cervical spinous process
  • fracture of cervical transverse process
  • fracture of cervical vertebral arch
  • fracture of neck

Code first: code the underlying condition first, then this code

  • any associated cervical spinal cord injury (S14.0, S14.1-)

Also applies, from Injuries to the neck (S10-S19)

These notes sit on S10-S19 and apply to every code under it, including S12.

Includes: conditions that are coded here

  • injuries of nape
  • injuries of supraclavicular region
  • injuries of throat

Excludes2: not included here, code separately if applicable

  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • effects of foreign body in esophagus (T18.1)
  • effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3)
  • effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2)
  • effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Official coding guidelines

From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.

  • Section I.C.19.c Coding of Traumatic Fractures (page 79), covers S12

    Code fractures by site; default to closed and displaced when not specified. Use initial 7th characters during active treatment and subsequent ones during healing, not aftercare Z codes; use M80 for osteoporotic fractures from minor trauma.

Other Chapter 19 topics:

Read Section I.C.19 (page 77)

Codes under S12

S12 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.

S12 MS-DRGs

As the principal diagnosis, the billable codes under S12 group to these 14 MS-DRGs (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.

Other codes that refer to S12

Notes on these codes point to S12.

  • M48.5 Excludes1: traumatic fracture of vertebra (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-)
  • M84.3 Excludes1: traumatic fracture (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-, S42.-, S52.-, S62.-, S72.-, S82.-, S92.-)
  • M84.4 Excludes1: traumatic fracture (S12.-, S22.-, S32.-, S42.-, S52.-, S62.-, S72.-, S82.-, S92.-)
  • S11 Excludes2: open fracture of vertebra (S12.- with 7th character B)

About the condition

Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.

Fractures

A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures are usually caused by injuries. Since they can sometimes be serious, it's important to get medical care right away if you think you have a fracture.

Read more about fractures on MedlinePlus

Neck Injuries and Disorders

Any part of your neck - muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves - can cause neck problems. Neck pain is very common. Pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head, or upper arms.

Read more about neck injuries and disorders on MedlinePlus

Code history

Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.