2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T68.XXXSHypothermia, sequela
T68.XXXS is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for hypothermia, sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 922 through 923. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Effect of other external causes, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
T68.XXXS is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Accidental hypothermia in elderly person
- Body temperature below reference range
- Effects of exposure to extreme temperature
- Hypothermia
- Hypothermia - accidental
- Hypothermia caused by cold environment
- Immersion hypothermia
- Thrombocytopenia due to hypothermia
- Unplanned perioperative hypothermia
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.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
Convert T68.XXXS to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T68.XXXSOverview
Is T68.XXXS (Hypothermia) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report hypothermia, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in T68.XXXS mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the hypothermia itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does T68.XXXS group to?
When hypothermia, sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 922, 923, with relative weights from 1.0177 to 1.7494 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is T68.XXXS exempt from POA reporting?
Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for hypothermia, sequela on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T68.XXXS?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, hypothermia, sequela converts to ICD-9-CM 909.4 (late eff cert ext cause). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
