2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T51Toxic effect of alcohol

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T51-T65›T51

ICD-10-CM T51
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T51 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for toxic effect of alcohol, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T51.0X1A, T51.0X1D, T51.0X1S, and T51.0X2A.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T51
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Toxic effect of alcohol
Short Description
Toxic effect of alcohol
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
T51-T65
Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionT51-T65Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source
CategoryT51Toxic effect of alcohol
This CodeT51Toxic effect of alcohol

Specific Coding for Toxic effect of alcoholOverview

Non-specific codes like T51 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • T51.0 for Toxic effect of ethanol

  • T51.0X for Toxic effect of ethanol

  • T51.1 for Toxic effect of methanol

  • T51.1X for Toxic effect of methanol

  • T51.2 for Toxic effect of 2-Propanol

  • T51.2X for Toxic effect of 2-Propanol

  • T51.3 for Toxic effect of fusel oil

  • T51.3X for Toxic effect of fusel oil

  • T51.8 for Toxic effect of other alcohols

  • T51.8X for Toxic effect of other alcohols

  • T51.9 for Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol

  • T51.91 for Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol, accidental (unintentional)

  • T51.92 for Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol, intentional self-harm

  • T51.93 for Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol, assault

  • T51.94 for Toxic effect of unspecified alcohol, undetermined

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Toxic effect of alcohol (T51). 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 T51: its own notes plus those printed at block T51-T65 and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From Block T51-T65 Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source applies to 1,680 codes
  • contact with and (suspected) exposure to toxic substances (Z77.-)

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.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Block T51-T65 Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source applies to 1,680 codes
  • code(s):
  • for all associated manifestations of toxic effect, such as: respiratory conditions due to external agents (J60-J70)
  • personal history of foreign body fully removed (Z87.821)
  • to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Block T51-T65 Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source applies to 1,680 codes
  • When no intent is indicated code to accidental. Undetermined intent is only for use when there is specific documentation in the record that the intent of the toxic effect cannot be determined.
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • 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 T51
Values for category T51 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Patient EducationClinical

Alcohol

Many Americans drink alcohol at least occasionally. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans say that adults of legal drinking age should either not drink or drink in moderation. Drinking less is better for your health than drinking more. Also, there are some people who should not drink at all.

The full article covers:

  • How does alcohol affect the body?
  • Why are the effects of alcohol different from person to person?
  • What is moderate drinking?
  • What is a standard drink?
  • Who should not drink alcohol?
  • What is excessive drinking?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About T51Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for toxic effect of alcohol?

T51 is the ICD-10-CM category for toxic effect of alcohol, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is T51 (Toxic effect of alcohol) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for toxic effect of alcohol, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for toxic effect of alcohol need a more specific code from this category, such as T51.0X1A, T51.0X1D, and T51.0X1S.

Can T51 be reported with a code from Z77?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block T51-T65, which applies to T51, lists "contact with and (suspected) exposure to toxic substances (Z77.-)". 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).