2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T59.2X4AToxic effect of formaldehyde, undetermined, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T51-T65›T59

ICD-10-CM T59.2X4A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T59.2X4A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for toxic effect of formaldehyde, 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. 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

ICD-10-CM Code
T59.2X4A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Toxic effect of formaldehyde, undetermined, initial encounter
Short Description
Toxic effect of formaldehyde, undetermined, init encntr
Parent Code
Toxic effect of formaldehyde, undetermined

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionT51-T65Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source
CategoryT59Toxic effect of other gases, fumes and vapors
This CodeT59.2X4AToxic effect of formaldehyde, undetermined, initial encounter

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Toxic effect of other gases, fumes and vapors (T59). 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 T59.2X4A: its own notes plus those printed at T59, 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.

From T59 Toxic effect of other gases, fumes and vapors applies to 144 codes
  • aerosol propellants

Excludes1

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

From T59 Toxic effect of other gases, fumes and vapors applies to 144 codes
  • chlorofluorocarbons (T53.5)
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.

From T59 Toxic effect of other gases, fumes and vapors applies to 144 codes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T59
  • 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 T59.2X4A, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming T59.2X4A: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • T71 Asphyxiation
    asphyxia from other gases, fumes and vapors (T59.-) names T59.-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR EXT023
External cause codes: intent of injury, undetermined
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR EXT015
External cause codes: poisoning by non-drug
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR INJ023
Toxic effects, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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.

SubstanceAccidentalSelf-harmAssaultUndeter­minedAdverse
Effect
Under­dosing
Formaldehyde (solution), gas or vaporT59.2X1T59.2X2T59.2X3T59.2X4––
FormalinT59.2X1T59.2X2T59.2X3T59.2X4––
Formalin::vaporT59.2X1T59.2X2T59.2X3T59.2X4––

Patient EducationClinical

Poisoning

A poison is any substance that is harmful to your body. You might swallow it, inhale it, inject it, or absorb it through your skin. Any substance can be poisonous if too much is taken. Poisons can include:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert T59.2X4A to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
987.1 Tox ef hydrocarb gas NEC
ApproximateCombination The match is approximate, and more than one code can be needed to describe the source diagnosis. Confirm with contextual judgment.
ICD-9-CM
E982.8 Undet pois-gas/vapor NEC
ApproximateCombination The match is approximate, and more than one code can be needed to describe the source diagnosis. Confirm with contextual judgment.

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 T59.2X4AOverview

What is the ICD-10 code for toxic effect of formaldehyde, undetermined, initial encounter?

The ICD-10-CM code for toxic effect of formaldehyde, undetermined, initial encounter is T59.2X4A (sometimes written as T592X4A). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is T59.2X4A (Toxic effect of formaldehyde, undetermined) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report toxic effect of formaldehyde, undetermined, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What does the 7th character A in T59.2X4A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for toxic effect of formaldehyde, undetermined, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does T59.2X4A group to?

When toxic effect of formaldehyde, 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 T59.2X4A be reported with T53.5?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at T59, which applies to T59.2X4A, lists "chlorofluorocarbons (T53.5)". 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).