2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T56.1X4AToxic effect of mercury and its compounds, undetermined, initial encounter
T56.1X4A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for toxic effect of mercury and its compounds, undetermined, 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 917 through 918. Coders also document this condition as contact dermatitis caused by mercurial. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under External cause codes: intent of injury, undetermined; External cause codes: poisoning by non-drug; and Toxic effects, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Contact dermatitis caused by mercurial
- Encephalopathy caused by heavy metal
- Poisoning caused by mercury
- Toxic encephalopathy caused by mercury
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 T56.1X4A: its own notes plus those printed at T56, 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 T56.1X4A, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 2
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming T56.1X4A: 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.
| Substance | Accidental | Self-harm | Assault | Undetermined | Adverse Effect | Underdosing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosive NEC::sublimate | T56.1X1 | T56.1X2 | T56.1X3 | T56.1X4 | – | – |
| Ethyl::mercuric chloride | T56.1X1 | T56.1X2 | T56.1X3 | T56.1X4 | – | – |
| Fulminate of mercury | T56.1X1 | T56.1X2 | T56.1X3 | T56.1X4 | – | – |
| Mercury, mercurial, mercuric, mercurous (compounds) (cyanide) (fumes) (nonmedicinal) (vapor) NEC | T56.1X1 | T56.1X2 | T56.1X3 | T56.1X4 | – | – |
| Mercury, mercurial, mercuric, mercurous (compounds) (cyanide) (fumes) (nonmedicinal) (vapor) NEC::chloride (ammoniated)::fungicide | T56.1X1 | T56.1X2 | T56.1X3 | T56.1X4 | – | – |
| Mercury, mercurial, mercuric, mercurous (compounds) (cyanide) (fumes) (nonmedicinal) (vapor) NEC::fungicide | T56.1X1 | T56.1X2 | T56.1X3 | T56.1X4 | – | – |
| Mercury, mercurial, mercuric, mercurous (compounds) (cyanide) (fumes) (nonmedicinal) (vapor) NEC::organic (fungicide) | T56.1X1 | T56.1X2 | T56.1X3 | T56.1X4 | – | – |
Patient EducationClinical
Mercury
Mercury is an element that is found in air, water and soil. It has several forms. Metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid. If heated, it is a colorless, odorless gas. It also combines with other elements to form powders or crystals. Mercury is in many products.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert T56.1X4A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T56.1X4AOverview
Is T56.1X4A (Toxic effect of mercury and its compounds, undetermined) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report toxic effect of mercury and its compounds, undetermined, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What does the 7th character A in T56.1X4A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for toxic effect of mercury and its compounds, undetermined, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does T56.1X4A group to?
When toxic effect of mercury and its compounds, undetermined, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 918, 917, with relative weights from 0.8716 to 1.5698 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can T56.1X4A be reported with T57.0?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at T56, which applies to T56.1X4A, 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).
