Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T34

Frostbite with tissue necrosis

ICD-10-CM Code:
T34
ICD-10 Code for:
Frostbite with tissue necrosis
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Frostbite
      (T33-T34)
      • Frostbite with tissue necrosis
        (T34)

T34 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of frostbite with tissue necrosis. 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 Frostbite with tissue necrosis

Non-specific codes like T34 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 frostbite with tissue necrosis:

  • T34.0 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of head - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.01 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of ear - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.02 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of nose - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.09 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of other part of head - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.1 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of neck - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.2 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of thorax - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.3 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of abdominal wall, lower back and pelvis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.4 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.40 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of unspecified arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.41 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.42 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of left arm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.5 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of wrist, hand, and finger(s) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.51 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of wrist - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.52 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of hand - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.53 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of finger(s) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.6 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of hip and thigh - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.60 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of unspecified hip and thigh - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.61 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right hip and thigh - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.62 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of left hip and thigh - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.7 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of knee and lower leg - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.70 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of unspecified knee and lower leg - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.71 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right knee and lower leg - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.72 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of left knee and lower leg - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.8 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of ankle, foot, and toe(s) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.81 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of ankle - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.82 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of foot - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.83 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of toe(s) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.9 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of other and unspecified sites - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.90 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of unspecified sites - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T34.99 for Frostbite with tissue necrosis of other sites - NON-BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Frostbite with tissue necrosis (T34). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


7th Character Note

7th Character Note
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T34

7th Character

7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Patient Education


Frostbite

Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.

If you have frostbite, the skin in that area may turn white or grayish-yellow. It may feel firm or waxy when you touch it. The area will also feel numb.

If you have symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. But if immediate medical care isn't available, here are steps to take:

  • Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
  • If possible, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes. Walking increases the damage.
  • Put the affected area in warm - not hot - water.
  • You can also warm the affected area using body heat. For example, use your armpit to warm frostbitten fingers.
  • Don't rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
  • Don't use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Since frostbite makes an area numb, you could burn it.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


[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.