2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T36.4X6AUnderdosing of tetracyclines, initial encounter
T36.4X6A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for underdosing of tetracyclines, 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 951. The code is not accepted as a principal diagnosis by the Medicare Code Editor. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Underdosing of drugs and medicaments, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Code EditsBilling
Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for T36.4X6A.
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
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 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 T36.4X6A: its own notes plus those printed at T36, block T36-T50, and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.
Includes
Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.
- adverse effect of correct substance properly administered
- poisoning by overdose of substance
- poisoning by wrong substance given or taken in error
- underdosing by (inadvertently) (deliberately) taking less substance than prescribed or instructed
Excludes1
Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
- toxic reaction to local anesthesia in pregnancy (O29.3-)
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.
Code First
The underlying condition named in the note is sequenced before this code.
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 T36
- Ainitial encounter this code
- Dsubsequent encounter
- Ssequela
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Table of Drugs and ChemicalsClinical
Substances in the Table of Drugs and Chemicals that reference this code family. Always confirm in the Tabular List before coding.
Patient EducationClinical
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.
The full article covers:
- What are antibiotics?
- What do antibiotics treat?
- Do antibiotics treat viral infections?
- What are the side effects of antibiotics?
- Why is it important to take antibiotics only when they're needed?
- How do I use antibiotics correctly?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert T36.4X6A to ICD-9-CMHistory
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T36.4X6AOverview
What is the ICD-10 code for underdosing of tetracyclines, initial encounter?
The ICD-10-CM code for underdosing of tetracyclines, initial encounter is T36.4X6A (sometimes written as T364X6A). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is T36.4X6A (Underdosing of tetracyclines) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report underdosing of tetracyclines, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character A in T36.4X6A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for underdosing of tetracyclines, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does T36.4X6A group to?
On inpatient claims, underdosing of tetracyclines, initial encounter maps to MS-DRG 951 (other Factors Influencing Health Status), which carries a relative weight of 0.5574. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can T36.4X6A be a principal diagnosis?
No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because underdosing of tetracyclines, initial encounter describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.
