2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T79.7XXATraumatic subcutaneous emphysema, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T79›T79

ICD-10-CM T79.7XXA
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

T79.7XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for traumatic subcutaneous emphysema, 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 199 through 201, 963 through 965. Coders also document this condition as subcutaneous emphysema. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified injury.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T79.7XXA
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Traumatic subcutaneous emphysema, initial encounter
Short Description
Traumatic subcutaneous emphysema, initial encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
T79.7
Traumatic subcutaneous emphysema

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 CodeT79.7XXATraumatic subcutaneous emphysema, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Subcutaneous emphysema
  • Traumatic subcutaneous emphysema

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.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INJ026
Other specified injury
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Subcutaneous Emphysema

    presence of air or gas in the subcutaneous tissues of the body.

  • Grade 3 Subcutaneous Emphysema, CTCAE|Grade 3 Subcutaneous emphysema

    severe or medically significant but not immediately life-threatening; hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization indicated; limiting self-care adl or severe impact on age-appropriate normal daily activity (pediatric)

  • Grade 1 Subcutaneous Emphysema, CTCAE|Grade 1 Subcutaneous emphysema

    asymptomatic or mild symptoms; clinical or diagnostic observations only; intervention not indicated

  • Grade 2 Subcutaneous Emphysema, CTCAE|Grade 2 Subcutaneous emphysema

    moderate; minimal, local or noninvasive intervention indicated

  • Grade 3 Subcutaneous Emphysema, CTCAE|Grade 3 Subcutaneous emphysema

    severe or medically significant but not immediately life-threatening; hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization indicated; limiting self care adl

  • Subcutaneous Emphysema

    the presence of air or gas in subcutaneous tissue.

  • Subcutaneous Emphysema, CTCAE|Subcutaneous emphysema

    a disorder characterized by air in the subcutaneous tissue.

  • Traumatic Subcutaneous Emphysema

    the infiltration of air into the skin tissue secondary to traumatic tissue disruption.

Convert T79.7XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
958.7 Traum subcutan emphysema
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About T79.7XXAOverview

Is T79.7XXA (Traumatic subcutaneous emphysema) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report traumatic subcutaneous emphysema, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in T79.7XXA mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for traumatic subcutaneous emphysema, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does T79.7XXA group to?

When traumatic subcutaneous emphysema, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 199, 200, 201, 963, 964, 965, with relative weights from 0.7151 to 2.7338 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T79.7XXA?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, traumatic subcutaneous emphysema, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 958.7 (traum subcutan emphysema). 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.