ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S31.12AS - Laceration with foreign body of abdominal wall unspecified flank without penetration into peritoneal cavity, sequela (original) (raw)

S31.12AS is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of laceration with foreign body of abdominal wall unspecified flank without penetration into peritoneal cavity, sequela. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The code is exempt from present on admission (POA) reporting for inpatient admissions to general acute care hospitals.

S31.12AS is a sequela code, includes a 7th character and should be used for complications that arise as a direct result of a condition like laceration with foreign body of abdominal wall unspecified flank without penetration into peritoneal cavity. According to ICD-10-CM Guidelines a "sequela" code should be used for chronic or residual conditions that are complications of an initial acute disease, illness or injury. The most common sequela is pain. Usually, two diagnosis codes are needed when reporting sequela. The first code describes the nature of the sequela while the second code describes the sequela or late effect.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like S31.12AS are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.