Fracture of base of skull, unspecified side

Not billableICD-10-CM diagnosis code.

This code exists but cannot be submitted on its own. It groups the more specific codes beneath it.

A category header for its whole life, FY2017 onwards. It has never been valid for submission on its own.

Submit one of these 6 more specific codes instead:

S02.109A Fracture of base of skull, unspecified side, initial encounter for closed fracture
S02.109B Fracture of base of skull, unspecified side, initial encounter for open fracture
S02.109D Fracture of base of skull, unspecified side, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
S02.109G Fracture of base of skull, unspecified side, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
S02.109K Fracture of base of skull, unspecified side, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
S02.109S Fracture of base of skull, unspecified side, sequela

This code requires a seventh character. See the rule below.

What has happened to this code

Every change the publisher made, from 2017 to now.

FY2017 Added to the code set Fracture of base of skull, unspecified side

Official coding rules

Published by CDC for FY2027. A rule attached to a category binds every code beneath it, so the rules inherited from this code's ancestors are shown with the code they come from.

Inherited from S02 Fracture of skull and facial bones

Seventh character required

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S02

Code also

any associated intracranial injury (S06.-)

Note

A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed

Inherited from the S00-S09 section Injuries to the head (S00-S09)

Excludes2 - not included here

burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
effects of foreign body in ear (T16)
effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3)
effects of foreign body in mouth NOS (T18.0)
effects of foreign body in nose (T17.0-T17.1)
effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2)
effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)
frostbite (T33-T34)
insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Code also

for any associated infection

Includes

injuries of ear
injuries of eye
injuries of face [any part]
injuries of gum
injuries of jaw
injuries of oral cavity
injuries of palate
injuries of periocular area
injuries of scalp
injuries of temporomandibular joint area
injuries of tongue
injuries of tooth

How CDC's index refers to this code

Wording from the official alphabetic index. Much of it appears nowhere in the code description, which is why a search for the everyday phrase so often finds nothing.

Fracture, traumatic > ethmoid
Fracture, traumatic > base of skull
Fracture, traumatic > skull > base

Codes in the same group

Code	Description	Status
S02.101	Fracture of base of skull, right side	Not billable
S02.102	Fracture of base of skull, left side	Not billable
S02.10XA	Unspecified fracture of base of skull, initial encounter for closed fracture	Retired
S02.10XB	Unspecified fracture of base of skull, initial encounter for open fracture	Retired
S02.10XD	Unspecified fracture of base of skull, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing	Retired
S02.10XG	Unspecified fracture of base of skull, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing	Retired
S02.10XK	Unspecified fracture of base of skull, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion	Retired
S02.10XS	Unspecified fracture of base of skull, sequela	Retired