2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T56.9

Toxic effects of unspecified metal

ICD-10-CM Code:
T56.9
ICD-10 Code for:
Toxic effects of unspecified metal
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 metals
        (T56)

T56.9 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 effects of unspecified metal. 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 T56.9 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 effects of unspecified metal

Non-specific codes like T56.9 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 effects of unspecified metal:

  • T56.91 for Toxic effect of unspecified metal, accidental (unintentional) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.91XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.91XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.91XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T56.92 for Toxic effect of unspecified metal, intentional self-harm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.92XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.92XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.92XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T56.93 for Toxic effect of unspecified metal, assault - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.93XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.93XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.93XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T56.94 for Toxic effect of unspecified metal, undetermined - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.94XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.94XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T56.94XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

When a harmful substance is ingested or comes in contact with a person, this is classified as a toxic effect. Toxic effect codes have an associated intent: accidental, intentional self-harm, assault and undetermined.

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Toxic effect of metals (T56). 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.