2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T15Foreign body on external eye

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T15-T19›T15

ICD-10-CM T15
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T15 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for foreign body on external eye, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T15.00XA, T15.00XD, T15.00XS, and T15.01XA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T15
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Foreign body on external eye
Short Description
Foreign body on external eye
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
T15-T19
Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionT15-T19Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice
CategoryT15Foreign body on external eye
This CodeT15Foreign body on external eye

Specific Coding for Foreign body on external eyeOverview

Non-specific codes like T15 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • T15.0 for Foreign body in cornea

  • T15.00 for Foreign body in cornea, unspecified eye

  • T15.01 for Foreign body in cornea, right eye

  • T15.02 for Foreign body in cornea, left eye

  • T15.1 for Foreign body in conjunctival sac

  • T15.10 for Foreign body in conjunctival sac, unspecified eye

  • T15.11 for Foreign body in conjunctival sac, right eye

  • T15.12 for Foreign body in conjunctival sac, left eye

  • T15.8 for Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye

  • T15.80 for Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, unspecified eye

  • T15.81 for Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, right eye

  • T15.82 for Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, left eye

  • T15.9 for Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified

  • T15.90 for Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified, unspecified eye

  • T15.91 for Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified, right eye

  • T15.92 for Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified, left eye

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Foreign body on external eye (T15). Use the following options for the applicable episode of care:

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

Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to T15: its own notes plus those printed at block T15-T19 and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

On T15 itself
  • foreign body in penetrating wound of orbit and eye ball (S05.4-, S05.5-)
  • open wound of eyelid and periocular area (S01.1-)
  • retained foreign body in eyelid (H02.8-)
  • retained (old) foreign body in penetrating wound of orbit and eye ball (H05.5-, H44.6-, H44.7-)
  • superficial foreign body of eyelid and periocular area (S00.25-)
From Block T15-T19 Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice applies to 261 codes
  • foreign body accidentally left in operation wound (T81.5-)
  • foreign body in penetrating wound - See open wound by body region
  • residual foreign body in soft tissue (M79.5)
  • splinter, without open wound - See superficial injury by body region
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Block T15-T19 Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice applies to 261 codes
  • code, if known, for foreign body entering into or through a natural orifice (W44.-)
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
  • The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

7th Character

Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T15
Values for category T15 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name T15, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming T15: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block S00-S09 Injuries to the head
    effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)
  • Z03.82 Encounter for observation for suspected foreign body ruled out
    foreign body on external eye (T15)

Patient EducationClinical

Eye Injuries

The structure of your face helps protect your eyes from injury. Still, injuries can damage your eye, sometimes severely enough that you could lose your vision. Most eye injuries are preventable. If you play sports or work in certain jobs, you may need protection.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About T15Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for foreign body on external eye?

T15 is the ICD-10-CM category for foreign body on external eye, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is T15 (Foreign body on external eye) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for foreign body on external eye, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for foreign body on external eye need a more specific code from this category, such as T15.00XA, T15.00XD, and T15.00XS.