S12 – Fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Injuries to the neck

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code S12

Code: S12 (claims format: S12)
Description: Fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 19. Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
Block: S10-S19 Injuries to the neck

Billable codes under S12

S12 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

S12.0 – Fracture of first cervical vertebraHeader (more codes below)
S12.1 – Fracture of second cervical vertebraHeader (more codes below)
S12.2 – Fracture of third cervical vertebraHeader (more codes below)
S12.3 – Fracture of fourth cervical vertebraHeader (more codes below)
S12.4 – Fracture of fifth cervical vertebraHeader (more codes below)
S12.5 – Fracture of sixth cervical vertebraHeader (more codes below)
S12.6 – Fracture of seventh cervical vertebraHeader (more codes below)
S12.8 – Fracture of other parts of neckHeader (more codes below)
S12.9 – Fracture of neck, unspecifiedHeader (more codes below)

7th character values

Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care (use placeholder X for empty positions).

Character	Meaning
`A`	initial encounter for closed fracture
`B`	initial encounter for open fracture
`D`	subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
`G`	subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
`K`	subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
`S`	sequela

Notes for S12

Includes:

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

Code first:

any associated cervical spinal cord injury (S14.0, S14.1-)

Notes:

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

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to all codes from subcategories S12.0-S12.6

Notes inherited from parent codes

Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.

Block S10-S19

Includes:

injuries of nape
injuries of supraclavicular region
injuries of throat

Excludes2 (not included here):

burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
effects of foreign body in esophagus (T18.1)
effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3)
effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2)
effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4)
frostbite (T33-T34)
insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code S12?

S12 is the ICD-10-CM code for fracture of cervical vertebra and other parts of neck, in the block S10-S19 (Injuries to the neck).

Is S12 a billable code?

No. S12 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.