S21.25
Non-Billable

Open bite of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Open bite of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity?

ICD-10-CM S21.25 is the diagnosis code for Open bite of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity. This code falls under the section "Injuries to the thorax" 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
⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for S21.25

✅ This Code Includes

  • Bite of back wall of thorax NOS

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as S21.25. They are mutually exclusive:

  • superficial bite of back wall of thorax (S20.47)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where S21.25 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 3 entries
S21.251Open bite of right back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavityBillableS21.252Open bite of left back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavityBillableS21.259Open bite of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavityBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is S21.25 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, S21.25 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does S21.25 mean?

S21.25 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Open bite of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of S21.25?

The parent code of S21.25 is S21.2 ("Open wound of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity"). S21.25 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is S21.25 in?

S21.25 is located in Section S20-S29 — "Injuries to the thorax" within Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of S21.25?

S21.25 has 3 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: S21.251, S21.252, S21.259.

When should I use S21.25?

Use S21.25 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Open bite of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity" 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 Open bite of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity?

The ICD-10-CM code for Open bite of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity is S21.25.

Can S21.25 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, S21.25 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is S21.25 in?

S21.25 is in Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from S21.25?

Type 1 Excludes for S21.25 include: superficial bite of back wall of thorax (S20.47).

Is S21.25 valid for 2026?

Yes, S21.25 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousS21.249Puncture wound with foreign body of unspecified back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavityNext →S21.251Open bite of right back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity
Code Details
S21.25
Open bite of back wall of thorax without penetration into thoracic cavity
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
S20-S29 — Injuries to the thorax
2026 ICD-10-CM