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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code T38.3
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T38.3

Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs

ICD-10-CM Code:
T38.3
ICD-10 Code for:
Insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
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 hormones and their synthetic substitutes and antagonists, not elsewhere classified
        (T38)

T38.3 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs. 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 Insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs

Non-specific codes like T38.3 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 insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs:

  • T38.3X for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T38.3X1 for Poisoning by insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, accidental (unintentional) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X1A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X1D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X1S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T38.3X2 for Poisoning by insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, intentional self-harm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X2A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X2D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X2S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T38.3X3 for Poisoning by insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, assault - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X3A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X3D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X3S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T38.3X4 for Poisoning by insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, undetermined - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X4A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X4D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X4S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T38.3X5 for Adverse effect of insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X5A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X5D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X5S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T38.3X6 for Underdosing of insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X6A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X6D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T38.3X6S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

When coding a poisoning or reaction to the improper use of a medication (e.g., overdose, wrong substance given or taken in error, wrong route of administration), first assign the appropriate code from categories T36-T50. The poisoning codes have an associated intent as their 5th or 6th character (accidental, intentional self-harm, assault and undetermined. If the intent of the poisoning is unknown or unspecified, code the intent as accidental intent. The undetermined intent is only for use if the documentation in the record specifies that the intent cannot be determined. Use additional code(s) for all manifestations of poisonings.

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of hormones and their synthetic substitutes and antagonists, not elsewhere classified (T38). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Patient Education


Diabetes Medicines

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. The cells of your body need glucose for energy. A hormone called insulin helps the glucose get into your cells.

With type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes,your body does not make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, glucose can't get into your cells as quickly as usual. The glucose builds up in your blood and causes high blood sugar levels.

What are the treatments for diabetes?

Treatments for diabetes can depend on the type. Common treatments include a diabetic meal plan, regular physical activity, and medicines. Some less common treatments are weight loss surgery for either type and an artificial pancreas or pancreatic islet transplantation for some people with type 1 diabetes.

Who needs diabetes medicines?

People with type 1 diabetes need to take a diabetes medicine called insulin to control their blood sugar.

Some people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugar with healthy food choices and physical activity. But for others, a diabetic meal plan and physical activity are not enough. They need to take diabetes medicines.

The kind of medicine you take depends on your type of diabetes, daily schedule, medicine costs, and any other health conditions that you have. Over time, you may need to take more than one diabetes medicine.

What are the types of medicines for type 1 diabetes?

If you have type 1 diabetes, you must take insulin because your body no longer makes it. There are different types of insulin that start to work at different speeds, and the effects of each last a different length of time. Your health care provider will measure your blood glucose to decide on the type of insulin. You may need to use more than one type.

You will also need to check your blood sugar at home. Your provider will tell you how often. The results of your blood sugar testing can help you make decisions about food, physical activity, and medicines.

You can take insulin several different ways. The most common are with a needle and syringe, an insulin pen, or an insulin pump. If you use a needle and syringe or a pen, you have to take insulin several times during the day, including with meals. An insulin pump gives you small, steady doses throughout the day. Less common ways to take insulin include inhalers, injection ports, and jet injectors.

In rare cases, taking insulin alone might not be enough to manage your blood sugar. Then you would need to take another diabetes medicine.

What are the types of medicines for type 2 diabetes?

There are several different medicines for type 2 diabetes. Each works in a different way. Many of them are pills. There are also medicines that you inject under your skin, such as insulin.

Over time, you may need more than one diabetes medicine to manage your blood sugar. You might add another diabetes medicine or switch to a combination medicine. A combination medicine contains more than one type of diabetes medicine in the same pill. Some people with type 2 diabetes take both pills and injections.

Even if you don't usually take insulin, you may need it at special times, such as during pregnancy or if you are in the hospital.

What else should I know about taking medicines for diabetes?

Even if you take medicines for diabetes, you still need to eat a healthy diet, stop smoking, take your other medicines, and get regular physical activity. These will help you manage your diabetes.

It is important to make sure that you understand your diabetes treatment plan. Talk to your provider about:

  • What your target blood sugar level is
  • What to do if your blood sugar gets too low or too high
  • Whether your diabetes medicines will affect other medicines you take
  • If you will have any side effects from the diabetes medicines

You should not change or stop your diabetes medicines on your own. Talk to your provider first.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Drug Reactions

Most of the time, medicines make our lives better. They reduce aches and pains, fight infections, and control problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. But medicines can also cause unwanted reactions, such as drug interactions, side effects, and allergies.

What is a drug interaction?

A drug interaction is a change in the way a drug acts in the body when taken with certain other drugs, foods, or supplements or when taken while you have certain medical conditions. Examples include:

  • Two drugs, such as aspirin and blood thinners
  • Drugs and food, such as statins and grapefruit
  • Drugs and supplements, such as gingko and blood thinners
  • Drugs and medical conditions, such as aspirin and peptic ulcers

Interactions could cause a drug to be more or less effective, cause side effects, or change the way one or both drugs work.

What are side effects?

Side effects are unwanted, usually unpleasant, effects caused by medicines. Most are mild, such as a stomachache, dry mouth, or drowsiness, and go away after you stop taking the medicine. Others can be more serious. Sometimes a drug can interact with a disease that you have and cause a side effect. For example, if you have a heart condition, certain decongestants can cause you to have a rapid heartbeat.

What are drug allergies?

Drug allergies are another type of reaction. They can range from mild to life-threatening. Skin reactions, such as hives and rashes, are the most common type. Anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, is less common.

How can I stay safe when taking medicines?

When you start a new prescription or over-the-counter medicine, make sure you understand how to take it correctly. Know which other medicines, foods, and supplements you need to avoid. Always talk to your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions about your medicines.


[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.