2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T56Toxic effect of metals

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T51-T65›T56

ICD-10-CM T56
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T56 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for toxic effect of metals, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T56.0X1A, T56.0X1D, T56.0X1S, and T56.0X2A.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T56
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Toxic effect of metals
Short Description
Toxic effect of metals
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
CategoryT56Toxic effect of metals
This CodeT56Toxic effect of metals

Specific Coding for Toxic effect of metalsOverview

Non-specific codes like T56 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • T56.0 for Toxic effects of lead and its compounds

  • T56.0X for Toxic effects of lead and its compounds

  • T56.1 for Toxic effects of mercury and its compounds

  • T56.1X for Toxic effects of mercury and its compounds

  • T56.2 for Toxic effects of chromium and its compounds

  • T56.2X for Toxic effects of chromium and its compounds

  • T56.3 for Toxic effects of cadmium and its compounds

  • T56.3X for Toxic effects of cadmium and its compounds

  • T56.4 for Toxic effects of copper and its compounds

  • T56.4X for Toxic effects of copper and its compounds

  • T56.5 for Toxic effects of zinc and its compounds

  • T56.5X for Toxic effects of zinc and its compounds

  • T56.6 for Toxic effects of tin and its compounds

  • T56.6X for Toxic effects of tin and its compounds

  • T56.7 for Toxic effects of beryllium and its compounds

  • T56.7X for Toxic effects of beryllium and its compounds

  • T56.8 for Toxic effects of other metals

  • T56.81 for Toxic effect of thallium

  • T56.82 for Toxic effect of gadolinium

  • T56.89 for Toxic effects of other metals

  • T56.9 for Toxic effects of unspecified metal

  • T56.91 for Toxic effect of unspecified metal, accidental (unintentional)

  • T56.92 for Toxic effect of unspecified metal, intentional self-harm

  • T56.93 for Toxic effect of unspecified metal, assault

  • T56.94 for Toxic effect of unspecified metal, undetermined

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Toxic effect of metals (T56). 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 T56: 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.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • toxic effects of fumes and vapors of metals
  • toxic effects of metals from all sources, except medicinal substances

Excludes1

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

On T56 itself
  • arsenic and its compounds (T57.0)
  • manganese and its compounds (T57.2)
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.

On T56 itself
  • code to identify any retained metal foreign body, if applicable (Z18.0-, T18.1-)
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 T56
Values for category T56 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

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

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 T56Overview

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

T56 is the ICD-10-CM category for toxic effect of metals, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is T56 (Toxic effect of metals) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for toxic effect of metals, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for toxic effect of metals need a more specific code from this category, such as T56.0X1A, T56.0X1D, and T56.0X1S.

Can T56 be reported with T57.0?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on T56 lists "arsenic and its compounds (T57.0)". 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).

Does T56 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code to identify any retained metal foreign body, if applicable (Z18.0-, T18.1-). The additional code is reported after T56.