S15.11
Non-Billable

Minor laceration of vertebral artery

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Minor laceration of vertebral artery?

ICD-10-CM S15.11 is the diagnosis code for Minor laceration of vertebral artery. This code falls under the section "Injuries to the neck" within Chapter 19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

💡 Inclusions

Coding Guidelines for S15.11

✅ This Code Includes

  • Incomplete transection of vertebral artery
  • Laceration of vertebral artery NOS
  • Superficial laceration of vertebral artery

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where S15.11 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 3 entries
S15.111Minor laceration of right vertebral arteryBillableS15.112Minor laceration of left vertebral arteryBillableS15.119Minor laceration of unspecified vertebral arteryBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is S15.11 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, S15.11 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does S15.11 mean?

S15.11 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Minor laceration of vertebral artery". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of S15.11?

The parent code of S15.11 is S15.1 ("Injury of vertebral artery"). S15.11 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is S15.11 in?

S15.11 is located in Section S10-S19 — "Injuries to the neck" within Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of S15.11?

S15.11 has 3 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: S15.111, S15.112, S15.119.

When should I use S15.11?

Use S15.11 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Minor laceration of vertebral artery" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Minor laceration of vertebral artery?

The ICD-10-CM code for Minor laceration of vertebral artery is S15.11.

Can S15.11 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, S15.11 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is S15.11 in?

S15.11 is in Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is S15.11 valid for 2026?

Yes, S15.11 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousS15.109Unspecified injury of unspecified vertebral arteryNext →S15.111Minor laceration of right vertebral artery
Code Details
S15.11
Minor laceration of vertebral artery
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
S10-S19 — Injuries to the neck
2026 ICD-10-CM