S22.5 – Flail chest

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

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code S22.5

Code: S22.5 (claims format: S225)
Description: Flail chest
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: S20-S29 Injuries to the thorax
Parent codes: S22

Billable codes under S22.5

S22.5 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

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 inherited from parent codes

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

S22 – Fracture of rib(s), sternum and thoracic spine

Includes:

fracture of thoracic neural arch
fracture of thoracic spinous process
fracture of thoracic transverse process
fracture of thoracic vertebra
fracture of thoracic vertebral arch

Excludes1 (not coded here):

transection of thorax (S28.1)

Excludes2 (not included here):

fracture of clavicle (S42.0-)
fracture of scapula (S42.1-)

Code first:

, if applicable, spinal cord injury (S24.0-, S24.1-)

Code also:

, if applicable, any associated condition such as:
injury of intrathoracic organ (S27.-)
traumatic hemopneumothorax (S27.2)
traumatic hemothorax (S27.1-)
traumatic pneumothorax (S27.0)

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 each code from category S22

Block S20-S29

Includes:

injuries of breast
injuries of chest (wall)
injuries of interscapular area

Excludes2 (not included here):

burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
effects of foreign body in bronchus (T17.5)
effects of foreign body in esophagus (T18.1)
effects of foreign body in lung (T17.8)
effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4)
frostbite (T33-T34)
injuries of axilla
injuries of clavicle
injuries of scapular region
injuries of shoulder
insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Index terms for S22.5

Entries in the ICD-10-CM alphabetic index that lead to this code:

Flail, chest

Related codes in S22

S22.0 – Fracture of thoracic vertebraHeader
S22.2 – Fracture of sternumHeader
S22.3 – Fracture of one ribHeader
S22.4 – Multiple fractures of ribsHeader
S22.9 – Fracture of bony thorax, part unspecifiedHeader

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code S22.5?

S22.5 is the ICD-10-CM code for flail chest, in the block S20-S29 (Injuries to the thorax).

Is S22.5 a billable code?

No. S22.5 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does S22.5 belong to?

It belongs to category S22 – Fracture of rib(s), sternum and thoracic spine.

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.