2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T34.532AFrostbite with tissue necrosis of left finger(s), initial encounter
ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T33-T34›T34
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- CC — Complication or Comorbidity
- 7th Character A — Initial Encounter
- Not Chronic
T34.532A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for frostbite with tissue necrosis of left finger(s), 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 922 through 923. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 44 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as frostbite of finger of left hand. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Effect of other external causes, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Frostbite of finger of left hand
- Frostbite of left hand
- Tissue necrosis of finger due to and following frostbite
- Tissue necrosis of finger of left hand due to and following frostbite
- Tissue necrosis of hand due to and following frostbite
- Tissue necrosis of left hand due to and following frostbite
- Tissue necrosis of left upper limb due to and following frostbite
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Frostbite with tissue necrosis (T34). 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 T34.532A: its own notes plus those printed at T34, block T33-T34, 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.
Use Additional Code
Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Notes
General instructions on how these codes are used.
- 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 T34
- Ainitial encounter this code
- 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 T34.532A, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes2 2
These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming T34.532A: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
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.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert T34.532A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T34.532AOverview
What is the ICD-10 code for frostbite with tissue necrosis of left finger(s), initial encounter?
The ICD-10-CM code for frostbite with tissue necrosis of left finger(s), initial encounter is T34.532A (sometimes written as T34532A). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is T34.532A (Frostbite with tissue necrosis of left finger(s)) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report frostbite with tissue necrosis of left finger(s), initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character A in T34.532A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for frostbite with tissue necrosis of left finger(s), such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does T34.532A group to?
When frostbite with tissue necrosis of left finger(s), initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 923, 922, with relative weights from 0.9980 to 1.6248 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is T34.532A a CC or MCC?
CMS lists T34.532A as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2027. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 44 closely related codes in its exclusion list.
