2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T79Certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T79›T79

ICD-10-CM T79
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T79 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T79.0XXA, T79.0XXD, T79.0XXS, and T79.1XXA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T79
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified
Short Description
Certain early complications of trauma, NEC
Chapter
T79
Certain early complications of trauma

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionT79Certain early complications of trauma
CategoryT79Certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified
This CodeT79Certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified

Specific Coding for Certain early complications of trauma, NECOverview

Non-specific codes like T79 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • T79.0 for Air embolism (traumatic)

  • T79.1 for Fat embolism (traumatic)

  • T79.2 for Traumatic secondary and recurrent hemorrhage and seroma

  • T79.4 for Traumatic shock

  • T79.5 for Traumatic anuria

  • T79.6 for Traumatic ischemia of muscle

  • T79.7 for Traumatic subcutaneous emphysema

  • T79.8 for Other early complications of trauma

  • T79.9 for Unspecified early complication of trauma

  • T79.A for Traumatic compartment syndrome

  • T79.A0 for Compartment syndrome, unspecified

  • T79.A1 for Traumatic compartment syndrome of upper extremity

  • T79.A2 for Traumatic compartment syndrome of lower extremity

  • T79.A3 for Traumatic compartment syndrome of abdomen

  • T79.A9 for Traumatic compartment syndrome of other sites

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified (T79). 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 T79: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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.

On T79 itself
  • acute respiratory distress syndrome (J80)
  • complications occurring during or following medical procedures (T80-T88)
  • complications of surgical and medical care NEC (T80-T88)
  • newborn respiratory distress syndrome (P22.0)
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 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 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.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T79
Values for category T79 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

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 T79Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified?

T79 is the ICD-10-CM category for certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is T79 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified need a more specific code from this category, such as T79.0XXA, T79.0XXD, and T79.0XXS.