2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T36.96XS

Underdosing of unspecified systemic antibiotic, sequela

ICD-10-CM Code:
T36.96XS
ICD-10 Code for:
Underdosing of unspecified systemic antibiotic, sequela
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances
      (T36-T50)
      • Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of systemic antibiotics
        (T36)

T36.96XS is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of underdosing of unspecified systemic antibiotic, sequela. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024. The code is exempt from present on admission (POA) reporting for inpatient admissions to general acute care hospitals.

This code describes a circumstance which influences the patient's health status but not a current illness or injury. The code is unacceptable as a principal diagnosis.

T36.96XS is a sequela code, includes a 7th character and should be used for complications that arise as a direct result of a condition like underdosing of unspecified systemic antibiotic. According to ICD-10-CM Guidelines a "sequela" code should be used for chronic or residual conditions that are complications of an initial acute disease, illness or injury. The most common sequela is pain. Usually, two diagnosis codes are needed when reporting sequela. The first code describes the nature of the sequela while the second code describes the sequela or late effect.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like T36.96XS are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Clinical Classification

Coding Guidelines

Underdosing refers to taking less of a medication than is prescribed by a provider or a manufacturer's instruction. Codes for underdosing should never be assigned as principal or first-listed codes. If a patient has a relapse or exacerbation of the medical condition for which the drug is prescribed because of the reduction in dose, then the medical condition itself should be coded.

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of systemic antibiotics (T36). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Code Edits

The Medicare Code Editor (MCE) detects and reports errors in the coding of claims data. The following ICD-10-CM Code Edits are applicable to this code:

  • Unacceptable principal diagnosis - There are selected codes that describe a circumstance which influences an individual's health status but not a current illness or injury, or codes that are not specific manifestations but may be due to an underlying cause. These codes are considered unacceptable as a principal diagnosis.

Present on Admission (POA)

T36.96XS is exempt from POA reporting - The Present on Admission (POA) indicator is used for diagnosis codes included in claims involving inpatient admissions to general acute care hospitals. POA indicators must be reported to CMS on each claim to facilitate the grouping of diagnoses codes into the proper Diagnostic Related Groups (DRG). CMS publishes a listing of specific diagnosis codes that are exempt from the POA reporting requirement. Review other POA exempt codes here.

CMS POA Indicator Options and Definitions

POA IndicatorReason for CodeCMS will pay the CC/MCC DRG?
YDiagnosis was present at time of inpatient admission.YES
NDiagnosis was not present at time of inpatient admission.NO
UDocumentation insufficient to determine if the condition was present at the time of inpatient admission.NO
WClinically undetermined - unable to clinically determine whether the condition was present at the time of inpatient admission.YES
1Unreported/Not used - Exempt from POA reporting. NO

Convert T36.96XS to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: -
    No Map Flag -

Table of Drugs and Chemicals

The parent code T36.96 of the current diagnosis code is referenced in the Table of Drugs and Chemicals, this table contains a classification of drugs, industrial solvents, corrosive gases, noxious plants, pesticides, and other toxic agents.

According to ICD-10-CM coding guidelines it is advised to do not code directly from the Table of Drugs and Chemicals, instead always refer back to the Tabular List when doing the initial coding. Each substance in the table is assigned a code according to the poisoning classification and external causes of adverse effects. It is important to use as many codes as necessary to specify all reported drugs, medicinal or chemical substances. If the same diagnosis code describes the causative agent for more than one adverse reaction, poisoning, toxic effect or underdosing, utilize the code only once.

Substance Poisoning
Accidental
(unintentional)
Poisoning
Accidental
(self-harm)
Poisoning
Assault
Poisoning
Undetermined
Adverse
effect
Underdosing
Antibiotic NECT36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »aminoglycoside
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »anticancer
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »antifungal
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »antimycobacterial
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »antineoplastic
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »cephalosporin (group)
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »chloramphenicol (group)
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »ENT
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »eye
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »fungicidal (local)
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »intestinal
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »b-lactam NEC
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »local
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »macrolides
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »polypeptide
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »specified NEC
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »tetracycline (group)
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96
Antibiotic NEC
  »throat
T36.91T36.92T36.93T36.94T36.95T36.96

Patient Education


Antibiotics

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or by making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply.

Antibiotics can be taken in different ways:

  • Orally (by mouth). This could be pills, capsules, or liquids.
  • Topically. This might be a cream, spray, or ointment that you put on your skin. It could also be eye ointment, eye drops, or ear drops.
  • Through an injection or intravenously (IV). This is usually for more serious infections.

What do antibiotics treat?

Antibiotics only treat certain bacterial infections, such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, and E. coli.

You may not need to take antibiotics for some bacterial infections. For example, you might not need them for many sinus infections or some ear infections. Taking antibiotics when they're not needed won't help you, and they can have side effects. Your health care provider can decide the best treatment for you when you're sick. Don't ask your provider to prescribe an antibiotic for you.

Do antibiotics treat viral infections?

Antibiotics do not work on viral infections. For example, you shouldn't take antibiotics for:

  • Colds and runny noses, even if the mucus is thick, yellow, or green
  • Most sore throats (except strep throat)
  • Flu
  • Most cases of bronchitis

What are the side effects of antibiotics?

The side effects of antibiotics range from minor to very severe. Some of the common side effects include:

  • Rash
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Yeast infections

More serious side effects can include:

  • C. diff infections, which cause diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and sometimes even death
  • Severe and life-threatening allergic reactions
  • Antibiotic resistance infections

Call your health care provider if you develop any side effects while taking your antibiotic.

Why is it important to take antibiotics only when they're needed?

You should only take antibiotics when they are needed because they can cause side effects and can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance happens when the bacteria change and become able to resist the effects of an antibiotic. This means that the bacteria continue to grow.

How do I use antibiotics correctly?

When you take antibiotics, it is important that you take them responsibly:

  • Always follow the directions carefully. Finish your medicine even if you feel better. If you stop taking them too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect you.
  • Don't save your antibiotics for later.
  • Don't share your antibiotic with others.
  • Don't take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. This may delay the best treatment for you, make you even sicker, or cause side effects.

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.

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.