2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T23.009ABurn of unspecified degree of unspecified hand, unspecified site, initial encounter
T23.009A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for burn of unspecified degree of unspecified hand, unspecified site, initial encounter. The 7th character A marks it as an initial encounter code, used while the patient is receiving active treatment. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). Coders also document this condition as abrasion and/or friction burn of hand without infection. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Burn and corrosion, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Abrasion and/or friction burn of hand without infection
- Abrasion and/or friction burn of upper limb without infection
- Burn of digit of hand
- Burn of digits of hand
- Burn of hand
- Complex burn of hand
- Superficial injury of hand without infection
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The ICD-10-CM makes a distinction between burns and corrosions. The burn codes are for thermal burns, except sunburns, that come from a heat source, such as a fire or hot appliance. The burn codes are also for burns resulting from electricity and radiation. Corrosions are burns due to chemicals. The guidelines are the same for burns and corrosions.
Sequence first the code that reflects the highest degree of burn when more than one burn is present.
- When the reason for the admission or encounter is for treatment of external multiple burns, sequence first the code that reflects the burn of the highest degree.
- When a patient has both internal and external burns, the circumstances of admission govern the selection of the principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
- When a patient is admitted for burn injuries and other related conditions such as smoke inhalation and/or respiratory failure, the circumstances of admission govern the selection of the principal or first-listed diagnosis.
Current burns (T20-T25) are classified by depth, extent and by agent (X code). Burns are classified by depth as first degree (erythema), second degree (blistering), and third degree (full-thickness involvement).
Classify burns of the same local site (three-character category level, T20-T28) but of different degrees to the subcategory identifying the highest degree recorded in the diagnosis.
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Burn and corrosion of wrist and hand (T23). 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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Burns
A burn is damage to your body's tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or radiation. Scalds from hot liquids and steam, building fires and flammable liquids and gases are the most common causes of burns. Another kind is an inhalation injury, caused by breathing smoke.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert T23.009A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T23.009AOverview
Is T23.009A a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report burn of unspecified degree of unspecified hand, unspecified site, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in T23.009A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for burn of unspecified degree of unspecified hand, unspecified site, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T23.009A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, burn of unspecified degree of unspecified hand, unspecified site, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 944.00 (burn NOS hand-unspec). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
