Unspecified fracture of occiput, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or late effect stemming from an unspecified fracture of the occipital bone. It indicates that the initial injury has healed, but the patient continues to experience residual symptoms or conditions directly attributable to that past fracture.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a sequela (e.g., chronic pain, neurological deficit, deformity) resulting from a previously sustained, unspecified occipital fracture. This code is appropriate when the acute phase of the fracture has passed, and the patient is being treated for the lasting effects.

• Always sequence the sequela code first, followed by a code for the specific residual condition (e.g., chronic pain, neurological deficit).
• Ensure documentation explicitly links the current condition to the prior occipital fracture and specifies it as a "sequela" or "late effect."
• Do not use this code for acute or active fractures; those require codes from the initial encounter or subsequent encounter categories.