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ICD-10-CM S12.590D: Other displaced fracture of sixth cervical vertebra, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
ICD-10-CM code S12.590D represents a subsequent encounter for a displaced fracture of the sixth cervical vertebra with routine healing. The code appears in Medicare cervical fusion billing articles and is listed alongside codes for delayed healing and nonunion. The supplied sources establish the code's official description and its placement in billing contexts but lack specific clinical details for the sixth cervical vertebra. 3 4 5
Plain-language overview
The code S12.590D is described as an other displaced fracture of the sixth cervical vertebra for a subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing. This description is explicitly listed in both Medicare billing articles and ICD-10-CM code tree references. 3 4 5
What this code represents
The seventh character D in S12.590D designates a subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing. This distinguishes it from other seventh characters in the same category, such as B for initial encounter for open fracture and K for subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion. 5
The S12.59 category includes codes for both displaced and nondisplaced fractures of the sixth cervical vertebra. Within the displaced subset, S12.590D is specifically designated for routine healing, whereas S12.590G is designated for delayed healing. 5
Coding details
The code S12.590D appears in two separate Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services articles titled Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion. Both articles list the exact code and its official description without providing additional coding instructions within the provided excerpts. 3 4
Documentation considerations
The supplied ICD-10-CM code tree reference lists S12.590D alongside codes for initial encounters, open fractures, delayed healing, and nonunion. This listing demonstrates the available seventh-character options that correspond to different phases and healing statuses of the fracture. 5
Coverage and utilization context
The code S12.590D is included in CMS Medicare articles focused on cervical fusion billing and coding. The provided excerpts from these articles contain only the code listing and do not explicitly state coverage criteria or payer-specific medical necessity requirements. 3 4
What the sources add
The CMS articles and the ICD-10-CM code tree both list S12.590D with the identical official description. The CMS articles place the code within billing and coding documents for cervical fusion, while the code tree provides the full hierarchy of encounter and healing variations. 3 4 5
Clinical context
The supplied clinical excerpts discuss vertebral fractures generally, noting they can result from trauma, metastatic disease, or osteoporosis. These excerpts do not provide specific clinical details regarding fractures of the sixth cervical vertebra. 1 2
Sources
- Bookshelf — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
- Bookshelf — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
- Article - Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion (A59608) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
- Article - Billing and Coding: Cervical Fusion (A59634) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
- ICD-10-CM 2024 | S12.59 - Other fracture of sixth cervical vertebra — unboundmedicine.com; accessed 2026-07-25.
Medical Policies and Guidelines
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S12.590D policy automation walkthrough
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