S15.1 – Injury of vertebral artery

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

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code S15.1

Code: S15.1 (claims format: S151)
Description: Injury of vertebral artery
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
Parent codes: S15

Billable codes under S15.1

S15.1 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

S15.10 – Unspecified injury of vertebral arteryHeader (more codes below)
S15.11 – Minor laceration of vertebral arteryHeader (more codes below)
S15.12 – Major laceration of vertebral arteryHeader (more codes below)
S15.19 – Other specified injury of vertebral arteryHeader (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
`D`	subsequent encounter
`S`	sequela

Notes inherited from parent codes

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

S15 – Injury of blood vessels at neck level

Code also:

any associated open wound (S11.-)

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S15

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)

Related codes in S15

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code S15.1?

S15.1 is the ICD-10-CM code for injury of vertebral artery, in the block S10-S19 (Injuries to the neck).

Is S15.1 a billable code?

No. S15.1 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does S15.1 belong to?

It belongs to category S15 – Injury of blood vessels at neck level.

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.