Other fracture of occiput, left side, init

This code signifies a fracture of the occipital bone on the left side of the skull, excluding those specifically classified as basilar skull fractures. It indicates that the fracture is closed, meaning the skin and underlying tissues remain intact over the fracture site. This code is used for the initial treatment phase of the injury.

This code is appropriate for documenting the initial diagnosis and treatment of a newly identified, non-basilar fracture of the left occipital bone. Documentation should clearly specify the left side of the occiput, confirm a closed fracture, and indicate that this is the first encounter for this specific injury. This would apply to scenarios such as an emergency department visit or initial hospitalization following trauma.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "left" occipital fracture; laterality is crucial for accurate coding.
• Verify the fracture is indeed "closed" and not an open fracture, which would require a different seventh character.
• Confirm this is the "initial encounter" for treatment of this specific fracture; subsequent encounters will use different seventh characters (e.g., D for subsequent, S for sequela).