S12.500S Unspecified displaced fracture of sixth cervical vertebra, sequela

ICD-10-CM S12.500S: Unspecified displaced fracture of sixth cervical vertebra, sequela

ICD-10-CM code S12.500S identifies a sequela of an unspecified displaced fracture of the sixth cervical vertebra. The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae that protect the spinal cord and facilitate neck motion. This code is an active terminology concept and appears in Medicare billing and coding articles. 1 2 3

Plain-language overview

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae labeled C1 through C7, which play a role in supporting the skull, facilitating neck motion, and protecting the spinal cord. 2

Due to its unique anatomy and high degree of flexibility, the cervical region is particularly vulnerable to trauma and injury, making the cervical spine susceptible to fractures. 2

What this code represents

Code S12.500S is an active ICD-10-CM diagnosis representing an unspecified displaced fracture of the sixth cervical vertebra, sequela, and its semantic type is Injury or Poisoning. 1

The S12.500S code is a narrower concept under the parent code S12.500, which is the unspecified displaced fracture of the sixth cervical vertebra without a sequela designation. 1

Coding details

The S12.500S code is distinct from S12.501S, which represents an unspecified nondisplaced fracture of the sixth cervical vertebra, sequela, rather than a displaced fracture. 4

While S12.500S denotes a sequela, other codes in this hierarchy specify encounter types, such as S12.500A for an initial encounter for a closed fracture and S12.500B for an initial encounter for an open fracture. 4 5

Documentation considerations

Clinical evaluation of cervical trauma may require an adequate lateral radiograph that includes all seven cervical vertebrae and the C7 to T1 disc space to visualize the injury accurately. 2

What the sources add

A Medicare billing and coding article for cervical fusion lists S12.500S, whereas a terminology record confirms its active status and preferred name, providing complementary operational and coding context. 1 3

A related initial encounter code, S12.500B, is billable and maps to Vertebral Fractures without Spinal Cord Injury under the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model. 5

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM S12.500S terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Bookshelf — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. Article - Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion (A59632) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. ICD-10-CM 2024 | S12.50 - Unspecified fracture of sixth cervical vertebra — unboundmedicine.com; accessed 2026-07-27.
5. 2026 ICD-10-CM S12.500B: Unspecified displaced | HCC 401 — hccbuddy.com; accessed 2026-07-27.