2025 ICD-10-CM code S02.8

Fracture of other specified skull and facial bones.

Refer to the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines for detailed instructions on coding fractures and associated injuries.Use additional codes for associated injuries or complications.

Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of service, such as the place of service or the nature of the procedure.Consult the appropriate coding guidelines and payer instructions for specific modifier rules.

Medical necessity is established through clinical findings supporting the diagnosis of a fracture, the need for treatment to alleviate pain and restore function, and the appropriateness of chosen treatment modalities based on the severity and location of the fracture.

Diagnosis is based on patient history, physical exam, and imaging (X-rays, CT, MRI). Treatment may include stabilization, addressing airway/head/face injuries, bleeding control, and surgical repair/suturing.

IMPORTANT Code also for any associated infection.Use additional code to identify any retained foreign body (Z18.-).Secondary codes from Chapter 20 (External causes of morbidity) should be used to indicate the cause of injury, unless the T-section code already includes the external cause.

In simple words: A fracture, or break, in the bones of the skull or face (excluding specific fractures like those of the eye socket's floor or roof). This may happen from an injury, accident, or fall.Doctors will use imaging tests like X-rays to confirm the diagnosis.

Fracture of other specified skull and facial bones refers to a break in one or more of the skull or facial bones not otherwise specified by more specific codes.This includes fractures of the palate, excluding fractures of the orbital floor (S02.3-) and orbital roof (S02.12-).Associated intracranial injuries should be coded separately (S06.-). The diagnosis is based on patient history, physical examination, and imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, and/or MRI.

Example 1: A patient falls and sustains a fracture of the zygomatic arch (cheekbone).S02.8 is used to code the fracture.A secondary code from Chapter 20 would indicate the cause (fall)., A patient is involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustains a complex fracture of the maxilla (upper jaw) with associated nasal bone fracture. S02.8 is used for the maxilla fracture, and additional codes are used for the nasal bone fracture and the external cause of injury., A patient presents with a fracture of the palate following a fight. S02.8 is used for the palate fracture; an external cause code would be used, and any associated infections would be coded separately.

Detailed patient history including mechanism of injury, physical examination findings documenting swelling, tenderness, deformity, and imaging studies (X-rays, CT, MRI) showing the fracture.

** Excludes birth trauma (P10-P15) and obstetric trauma (O70-O71).

  • Payment Status: Active
  • Modifier TC rule: The application of a technical component (TC) modifier is not directly applicable to this diagnosis code, as it relates to a diagnosis rather than a procedure.
  • Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery
  • Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center
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