2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T69.9XXAEffect of reduced temperature, unspecified, initial encounter
T69.9XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for effect of reduced temperature, unspecified, 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 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 922 through 923. Coders also document this condition as cold injury. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Effect of other external causes, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Cold injury
- General effects of low temperature
- Oral ulceration caused by cold burn
- Ulcer of skin of face
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Other effects of reduced temperature (T69). 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.
Clinical InformationClinical
Cold Injury
a physical injury caused by exposure of the body to extremely low ambient temperatures that may lead to loss of body parts, or in extreme cases, death. examples of cold injury are frostbite and chilblains.
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.
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Convert T69.9XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T69.9XXAOverview
Is T69.9XXA (Effect of reduced temperature, unspecified) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report effect of reduced temperature, unspecified, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in T69.9XXA mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for effect of reduced temperature, unspecified, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does T69.9XXA group to?
When effect of reduced temperature, unspecified, initial encounter 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.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T69.9XXA?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, effect of reduced temperature, unspecified, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 991.9 (effect reduced temp NOS). 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.
