2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T42.3X6AUnderdosing of barbiturates, initial encounter
T42.3X6A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for underdosing of barbiturates, 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 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). 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 T42.3X6A.
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 antiepileptic, sedative- hypnotic and antiparkinsonism drugs (T42). 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
Barbital
a long-acting barbiturate that depresses most metabolic processes at high doses. it is used as a hypnotic and sedative and may induce dependence. barbital is also used in veterinary practice for central nervous system depression.Hexobarbital
a barbiturate that is effective as a hypnotic and sedative.Mephobarbital
a barbiturate that is metabolized to phenobarbital. it has been used for similar purposes, especially in epilepsy, but there is no evidence mephobarbital offers any advantage over phenobarbital.Pentobarbital
a short-acting barbiturate that is effective as a sedative and hypnotic (but not as an anti-anxiety) agent and is usually given orally. it is prescribed more frequently for sleep induction than for sedation but, like similar agents, may lose its effectiveness by the second week of continued administration. (from ama drug evaluations annual, 1994, p236)Phenobarbital
a barbituric acid derivative that acts as a nonselective central nervous system depressant. it potentiates gamma-aminobutyric acid action on gaba-a receptors, and modulates chloride currents through receptor channels. it also inhibits glutamate induced depolarizations.Secobarbital
a barbiturate that is used as a sedative. secobarbital is reported to have no anti-anxiety activity.
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
Medication Errors
Medicines treat infectious diseases, prevent problems from chronic diseases, and ease pain. But medicines can also cause harmful reactions if not used correctly. Errors can happen in the hospital, at the health care provider's office, at the pharmacy, or at home. You can help prevent errors by:
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert T42.3X6A to ICD-9-CMHistory
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T42.3X6AOverview
Is T42.3X6A (Underdosing of barbiturates) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report underdosing of barbiturates, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in T42.3X6A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for underdosing of barbiturates, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
Can T42.3X6A be a principal diagnosis?
No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because underdosing of barbiturates, initial encounter describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.
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.
