Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T61.78

Other shellfish poisoning

ICD-10-CM Code:
T61.78
ICD-10 Code for:
Other shellfish poisoning
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 noxious substances eaten as seafood
        (T61)

T61.78 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of other shellfish poisoning. 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.

Specific Coding Applicable to Other shellfish poisoning

Non-specific codes like T61.78 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 other shellfish poisoning:

  • T61.781 for Other shellfish poisoning, accidental (unintentional) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.781A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.781D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.781S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T61.782 for Other shellfish poisoning, intentional self-harm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.782A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.782D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.782S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T61.783 for Other shellfish poisoning, assault - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.783A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.783D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.783S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T61.784 for Other shellfish poisoning, undetermined - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.784A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.784D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T61.784S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Shellfish Poisoning

    poisoning from toxins present in bivalve mollusks that have been ingested. four distinct types of shellfish poisoning are recognized based on the toxin involved.

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Toxic effect of noxious substances eaten as seafood (T61). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Patient Education


Foodborne Illness

Each year, around 48 million people in the United States get sick from contaminated food. Common causes include bacteria and viruses. Less often, the cause may be a parasite or a harmful chemical, such as a high amount of pesticides. Symptoms of foodborne illness depend on the cause. They can be mild or serious. They usually include:

  • Upset stomach
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Dehydration

Most foodborne illnesses are acute. This means that they happen suddenly and last a short time.

It takes several steps to get food from the farm or fishery to your dining table. Contamination can happen during any of these steps. For example, it can happen to:

  • Raw meat during slaughter
  • Fruits and vegetables when they are growing or when they are processed
  • Refrigerated foods when they are left on a loading dock in warm weather

But it can also happen in your kitchen if you leave food out for more than 2 hours at room temperature. Handling food safely can help prevent foodborne illnesses.

Most people with foodborne illness get better on their own. It is important to replace lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. If your health care provider can diagnose the specific cause, you may get medicines such as antibiotics to treat it. For more serious illness, you may need treatment at a hospital.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

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.