ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code
S12.291AOther nondisplaced fracture of third cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture
S12.291A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for other nondisplaced fracture of third cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.Short description: Oth nondisp fx of third cervical vertebra, init for clos fx
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 S12.291A
S12.291A is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other nondisplaced fracture of third cervical vertebra, initial encounter for closed fracture. It belongs to category S12 (fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck), block S10-S19 (injuries to the neck) 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 for closed fracture: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.
Code first: any associated cervical spinal cord injury (S14.0, S14.1-).
As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the "with CC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 551 (Medical Back Problems with MCC, relative weight 1.6358), DRG 552 (Medical Back Problems without MCC, relative weight 0.9584), 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 805.03 (closed fracture of third cervical vertebra).
7th character
Ainitial encounter for closed fracture
CC/MCC status for this injury by encounter: CC for A, K; MCC for B; Neither CC nor MCC for D, G, S.
Other encounter types for S12.291:
Notes that apply from higher levels
Instructions written at a parent level also apply to S12.291A.
› From S12 Fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck
- A fracture not indicated as displaced or nondisplaced should be coded to displaced
- A fracture not indicated as open or closed should be coded to closed
- 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
Broader instructions also apply from S10-S19 Injuries to the neck 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.
MDC 08 · Diseases and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Converter →- 805.03Closed fracture of third cervical vertebraapproximate
From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.
Code history
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- 2027
- FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
- No changes since FY2016.
Common questions about S12.291A
Is S12.291A billable?
- Yes. S12.291A 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 S12.291A mean?
- It is the 7th character for initial encounter for closed fracture. Per the official guidelines, use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.
Can S12.291A be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict S12.291A as a principal diagnosis.
Is S12.291A a CC or MCC?
- S12.291A is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.
What DRG does S12.291A group to?
- S12.291A is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 551 (Medical Back Problems with MCC), MS-DRG 552 (Medical Back Problems without 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 S12.291A?
- The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map S12.291A to ICD-9-CM 805.03.