2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T79Certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified
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
Code Classification
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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Type 2 Excludes
- 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
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T79
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
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.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T79Overview
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.
