Fracture of one rib, left side, init for clos fx

This code signifies a broken rib on the patient's left side, specifically a single rib, where the skin remains intact over the fracture site. It indicates that this is the initial medical attention for this particular injury.

Apply this code for patients presenting with a newly diagnosed, non-displaced or displaced fracture of a single left rib, without an open wound communicating with the fracture. This is appropriate for the initial hospital visit, emergency department encounter, or first physician office visit for this specific injury.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "left side" and "one rib" to support this code.
• Verify the fracture is documented as "closed" to differentiate from open fractures.
• Confirm this is the initial encounter for treatment; subsequent encounters will require a different seventh character.