2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T51.9

Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol

ICD-10-CM Code:
T51.9
ICD-10 Code for:
Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source
      (T51-T65)
      • Toxic effect of alcohol
        (T51)

T51.9 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of toxic effect of unspecified alcohol. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like T51.9 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol

Non-specific codes like T51.9 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for toxic effect of unspecified alcohol:

  • T51.91 for Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol, accidental (unintentional) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.91XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.91XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.91XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T51.92 for Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol, intentional self-harm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.92XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.92XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.92XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T51.93 for Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol, assault - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.93XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.93XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.93XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T51.94 for Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol, undetermined - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.94XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.94XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T51.94XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Toxic effect of alcohol (T51). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.