2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T68Hypothermia
T68 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for hypothermia, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T68.XXXA, T68.XXXD, and T68.XXXS.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Hypothermia (T68). 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.
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Accidental hypothermia
- Hypothermia NOS
Use Additional Code
- code to identify source of exposure:
- Exposure to excessive cold of man-made origin W93
- Exposure to excessive cold of natural origin X31
Type 1 Excludes
- hypothermia following anesthesia T88.51
- hypothermia not associated with low environmental temperature R68.0
- hypothermia of newborn P80
Type 2 Excludes
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code T68
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Hypothermia (accidental) - T68
- low environmental temperature - T68
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Hypothermia(accidental)
- Hypothermia(accidental)
- low environmental temperature
- Subnormal, subnormality
- temperature (accidental)
Patient EducationClinical
Hypothermia
Cold weather can affect your body in different ways. You can get frostbite, which is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Your body can also lose heat faster than you can produce it. That can cause hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. It can make you sleepy, confused, and clumsy.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
