Skull Fracture ICD-10-CM Codes
Explore the specific ICD-10 Codes for skull fractures. Discover their billability, related terminology, and more.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What ICD-10 Codes are Used for Skull Fracture
Check below for a list of ICD Codes for skull fractures that healthcare professionals can use for medical coding, diagnosis documentation, communication, and billing.
- S02.0: Fracture of vault of skull
Note: There are more specific codes under S02.0 that one is recommended to use that specify the type of encounter - initial encounter, subsequent encounter, sequela - and injury - open, closed, with routine healing, delayed healing, etc.
- S02.10: Unspecified fracture of base of skull
Note: There are more specific codes under S02.10 that one is recommended to use that specify the location of the fracture on the base of the skull
- S02.11: Fracture of occiput
Note: There are more specific codes under S02.11 that one should use that specify the type of occipital condyle fracture and its location.
- S02.19: Other fracture of base of the skull
Note: There are more specific codes under S02.19 that one is recommended to use that specify the type of encounter - initial encounter, subsequent encounter, sequela - and injury - open, closed, with routine healing, delayed healing, etc.
Which Skull Fracture ICD codes are Billable:
Only the specific codes under the mentioned skull fracture ICD codes are billable.
Clinical Information
- A skull fracture is a type of head injury wherein there’s a break in the skull bone. It can also be called a TBI or a traumatic brain injury.
- There are four types of skill fractures: linear skull fractures, depressed skull fractures, diastatic skull fractures, and basilar skull fractures. The differences among these types of fractures are severity and location.
- Any strong force breaking the bone or impacting the head can cause a skull fracture. Here are some examples: injuring the head during an accident, hitting the ground, being hit with an object, being struck by a moving vehicle, a sports injury, and being assaulted.
- If a fracture is not open or depressed, some signs and symptoms of a skull fracture are swelling, bleeding, bruising, redness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, loss of balance, and fainting.
- To diagnose skull fractures, practitioners will have the patient undergo a physical examination and imaging tests like X-rays, CTs, and MRIs.
- Treatment will depend on the severity, type of fracture, and the patient’s age, health, and medical history. Common ones may be over-the-counter medication to manage the pain or, for severe cases, surgery.
Synonyms Include:
- Closed fracture of vault of skull
- Fracture of frontal bone
- Open depressed fracture of skull
- Nondisplaced fracture of frontal bone of skull
- Depressed fracture of skull
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Commonly asked questions
You can use a skull fracture ICD code when documenting cases of skull fractures wherein you have identified the location of the injury, type of fracture, or type of encounter.
Only the more specific codes under the ICD 10 related to skull fractures mentioned above are billable.
For severe cases of skull fractures, a standard treatment is surgery. However, an over-the-counter medication may be recommended if it's not that severe.
