2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T38.891SPoisoning by other hormones and synthetic substitutes, accidental (unintentional), sequela
T38.891S is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for poisoning by other hormones and synthetic substitutes, accidental (unintentional), sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 922 through 923. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as accidental gonadotrophin poisoning. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Poisoning/toxic effect/adverse effects/underdosing, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
T38.891S is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Accidental gonadotrophin poisoning
- Accidental vasopressin poisoning
- Antidiuretic hormone overdose
- Poisoning by gonadotropin
- Poisoning by pituitary hormone
- Poisoning by posterior pituitary hormone
- Poisoning by vasopressin
- Sex hormone overdose
- Sex hormone poisoning
- Vasopressor drug overdose
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
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 applicable episode of care:
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Buserelin
a potent synthetic analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone with d-serine substitution at residue 6, glycine10 deletion, and other modifications.Chorionic Gonadotropin
a gonadotropic glycoprotein hormone produced primarily by the placenta. similar to the pituitary luteinizing hormone in structure and function, chorionic gonadotropin is involved in maintaining the corpus luteum during pregnancy. cg consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. within a species, the alpha subunit is virtually identical to the alpha subunits of the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (tsh, lh, and fsh), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity (chorionic gonadotropin, beta subunit, human).Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin. its structure is similar to the beta subunit of luteinizing hormone, except for the additional 30 amino acids at the carboxy end with the associated carbohydrate residues. hcg-beta is used as a diagnostic marker for early detection of pregnancy, spontaneous abortion (abortion, spontaneous); ectopic pregnancy; hydatidiform mole; choriocarcinoma; or down syndrome.Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit
the alpha chain of pituitary glycoprotein hormones (thyrotropin; follicle stimulating hormone; luteinizing hormone) and the placental chorionic gonadotropin. within a species, the alpha subunits of these four hormones are identical; the distinct functional characteristics of these glycoprotein hormones are determined by the unique beta subunits. both subunits, the non-covalently bound heterodimers, are required for full biologic activity.Receptors, LH
those protein complexes or molecular sites on the surfaces and cytoplasm of gonadal cells that bind luteinizing or chorionic gonadotropic hormones and thereby cause the gonadal cells to synthesize and secrete sex steroids. the hormone-receptor complex is internalized from the plasma membrane and initiates steroid synthesis.Felypressin
a synthetic analog of lypressin with a phenylalanine substitution at residue 2. felypressin is a vasoconstrictor with reduced antidiuretic activity.Leuprolide
a potent synthetic long-acting agonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone that regulates the synthesis and release of pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone.Lypressin
the porcine antidiuretic hormone (vasopressins). it is a cyclic nonapeptide that differs from arg-vasopressin by one amino acid, containing a lysine at residue 8 instead of an arginine. lys-vasopressin is used to treat diabetes insipidus or to improve vasomotor tone and blood pressure.Sermorelin
the biologically active fragment of human growth hormone-releasing factor, consisting of ghrh(1-29)-amide. this n-terminal sequence is identical in several mammalian species, such as human, pig, and cattle. it is used to diagnose or treat patients with growth hormone deficiency.Terlipressin
an inactive peptide prodrug that is slowly converted in the body to lypressin. it is used to control bleeding of esophageal varices and for the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome.
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
Hormones
Hormones are your body's chemical messengers. They travel in your bloodstream to tissues or organs. They work slowly, over time, and affect many different processes, including:
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert T38.891S to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T38.891SOverview
Is T38.891S a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report poisoning by other hormones and synthetic substitutes, accidental (unintentional), sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in T38.891S mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the poisoning by other hormones and synthetic substitutes, accidental (unintentional) itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does T38.891S group to?
When poisoning by other hormones and synthetic substitutes, accidental (unintentional), sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 922, 923, with relative weights from 1.0177 to 1.7494 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is T38.891S exempt from POA reporting?
Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for poisoning by other hormones and synthetic substitutes, accidental (unintentional), sequela on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T38.891S?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, poisoning by other hormones and synthetic substitutes, accidental (unintentional), sequela converts to ICD-9-CM 909.0 (late eff drug poisoning) and E929.2 (late eff acc poisoning). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
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.
