2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T38.0X5AAdverse effect of glucocorticoids and synthetic analogues, initial encounter
T38.0X5A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for adverse effect of glucocorticoids and synthetic analogues, 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 791, 793, 917 through 918. 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 Adverse effects of drugs and medicaments, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Code EditsBilling
Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for T38.0X5A.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Acne of external chemical origin
- ACTH deficiency
- Adverse reaction caused by glucocorticoid
- Adverse reaction following injection of substance
- Atrophy of skin caused by drug
- Atrophy of skin caused by systemic corticosteroid
- Bilateral drug-induced ocular hypertension
- Bilateral glaucoma suspect
- Bilateral ocular hypertension caused by corticosteroid
- Cataract of left eye caused by corticosteroid
- Cataract of left eye caused by medication
- Cataract of right eye caused by corticosteroid
- Cataract of right eye caused by medication
- Corticosteroid induced cataract
- Corticosteroid withdrawal syndrome following therapeutic use
- Corticosteroid-induced neutrophilia
- Corticosteroid-induced open angle glaucoma
- Corticosteroid-induced telangiectasia
- Corticosteroids adverse reaction
- Cortisone adverse reaction
- Cushingoid facies
- Cutaneous atrophy caused by corticosteroids
- Desoxymethasone adverse reaction
- Dexamethasone adverse reaction
- Diabetes mellitus caused by chemical
- Drug-induced cataract
- Drug-induced diabetes mellitus
- Drug-induced hyperglycemia
- Drug-induced immunodeficiency
- Drug-induced neutrophilia
- Drug-induced ocular hypertension
- Drug-induced ocular hypertension of left eye
- Drug-induced ocular hypertension of right eye
- Drug-induced open angle glaucoma
- Drug-induced open angle glaucoma of left eye
- Drug-induced open angle glaucoma of right eye
- Drug-induced osteoporosis
- Drug-induced panniculitis
- Drug-induced telangiectasia
- Glaucoma suspect caused by corticosteroid
- Glaucoma suspect of bilateral eyes caused by corticosteroid
- Glaucoma suspect of left eye
- Glaucoma suspect of left eye caused by corticosteroid
- Glaucoma suspect of right eye
- Glaucoma suspect of right eye caused by corticosteroid
- Hyperlipidemia caused by steroid
- Immunodeficiency secondary to corticosteroid
- Intra-articular steroid-induced arthritis and periarthritis
- Lipoatrophy caused by injected corticosteroid
- Lipoatrophy caused by injected drug
- Localized lipoatrophy
- Methylprednisolone adverse reaction
- Neutrophilia disorder
- Ocular hypertension of left eye caused by corticosteroid
- Ocular hypertension of right eye caused by corticosteroid
- Open angle glaucoma of left eye caused by corticosteroid
- Open angle glaucoma of right eye caused by corticosteroid
- Osteonecrosis caused by glucocorticoid
- Osteoporosis caused by corticosteroid
- Panniculitis caused by corticosteroid therapy
- Perioral dermatitis caused by corticosteroid
- Prednisolone adverse reaction
- Prednisone adverse reaction
- Rectal prednisolone preparations adverse reaction
- Rosacea caused by topical corticosteroid
- Secondary hyperlipidemia
- Secondary ocular hypertension caused by corticosteroid
- Skin disease attributable to corticosteroid therapy
- Stellate pseudoscar
- Stellate pseudoscar caused by corticosteroid
- Steroid acne
- Steroid hormone withdrawal syndrome following therapeutic use
- Steroid suppression of ACTH secretion
- Steroidal ecchymosis
- Steroid-induced diabetes
- Steroid-induced glaucoma glaucomatous stage
- Steroid-induced hyperglycemia
- Steroid-induced myopathy
- Steroid-induced osteopenia
- Steroid-modified tinea infection
- Steroid-modified tinea infection of foot
- Steroid-modified tinea infection of lower limb
- Tinea pedis
- Toxic cataract
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
When coding an adverse effect of a drug that has been correctly prescribed and properly administered, assign the appropriate code for the nature of the adverse effect followed by the appropriate code for the adverse effect of the drug.
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 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 T38.0X5A: its own notes plus those printed at T38.0, T38, 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.
- glucocorticoids, topically used (T49.-)
- 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 T38
- 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 T38.0X5A, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 1
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming T38.0X5A: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
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
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.
The full article covers:
- What is a drug interaction?
- What are side effects?
- What are drug allergies?
- How can I stay safe when taking medicines?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert T38.0X5A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T38.0X5AOverview
Is T38.0X5A (Adverse effect of glucocorticoids and synthetic analogues) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report adverse effect of glucocorticoids and synthetic analogues, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character A in T38.0X5A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for adverse effect of glucocorticoids and synthetic analogues, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does T38.0X5A group to?
On inpatient claims, adverse effect of glucocorticoids and synthetic analogues, initial encounter maps to MS-DRG 793, 791, 918, 917, with relative weights from 0.8716 to 4.2192 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can T38.0X5A be a principal diagnosis?
No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because adverse effect of glucocorticoids and synthetic analogues, initial encounter describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.
Can T38.0X5A be reported with a code from T49?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at T38.0, which applies to T38.0X5A, lists "glucocorticoids, topically used (T49.-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
