2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T81Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T80-T88›T81

ICD-10-CM T81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T81 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T81.10XA, T81.10XD, T81.10XS, and T81.11XA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T81
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified
Short Description
Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
T80-T88
Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionT80-T88Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified
CategoryT81Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified
This CodeT81Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified

Specific Coding for Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classifiedOverview

Non-specific codes like T81 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • T81.1 for Postprocedural shock

  • T81.10 for Postprocedural shock unspecified

  • T81.11 for Postprocedural cardiogenic shock

  • T81.12 for Postprocedural septic shock

  • T81.19 for Other postprocedural shock

  • T81.3 for Disruption of wound, not elsewhere classified

  • T81.30 for Disruption of wound, unspecified

  • T81.31 for Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified

  • T81.32 for Disruption of internal operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified

  • T81.33 for Disruption of traumatic injury wound repair

  • T81.4 for Infection following a procedure

  • T81.40 for Infection following a procedure, unspecified

  • T81.41 for Infection following a procedure, superficial incisional surgical site

  • T81.42 for Infection following a procedure, deep incisional surgical site

  • T81.43 for Infection following a procedure, organ and space surgical site

  • T81.44 for Sepsis following a procedure

  • T81.49 for Infection following a procedure, other surgical site

  • T81.5 for Complications of foreign body accidentally left in body following procedure

  • T81.50 for Unspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following procedure

  • T81.51 for Adhesions due to foreign body accidentally left in body following procedure

  • T81.52 for Obstruction due to foreign body accidentally left in body following procedure

  • T81.53 for Perforation due to foreign body accidentally left in body following procedure

  • T81.59 for Other complications of foreign body accidentally left in body following procedure

  • T81.6 for Acute reaction to foreign substance accidentally left during a procedure

  • T81.60 for Unspecified acute reaction to foreign substance accidentally left during a procedure

  • T81.61 for Aseptic peritonitis due to foreign substance accidentally left during a procedure

  • T81.69 for Other acute reaction to foreign substance accidentally left during a procedure

  • T81.7 for Vascular complications following a procedure, not elsewhere classified

  • T81.71 for Complication of artery following a procedure, not elsewhere classified

  • T81.72 for Complication of vein following a procedure, not elsewhere classified

  • T81.8 for Other complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified

  • T81.81 for Complication of inhalation therapy

  • T81.82 for Emphysema (subcutaneous) resulting from a procedure

  • T81.83 for Persistent postprocedural fistula

  • T81.89 for Other complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified

  • T81.9 for Unspecified complication of procedure

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified (T81). 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 T81: its own notes plus those printed at block T80-T88 and 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 T81 itself
From Block T80-T88 Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified applies to 1,683 codes
  • any encounters with medical care for postprocedural conditions in which no complications are present, such as:
  • artificial opening status (Z93.-)
  • closure of external stoma (Z43.-)
  • fitting and adjustment of external prosthetic device (Z44.-)
  • burns and corrosions from local applications and irradiation (T20-T32)
  • complications of surgical procedures during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • mechanical complication of respirator [ventilator] (J95.850)
  • poisoning and toxic effects of drugs and chemicals (T36-T65 with fifth or sixth character 1-4 or 6)
  • postprocedural fever (R50.82)
  • specified complications classified elsewhere, such as:
  • cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture (G97.0)
  • colostomy malfunction (K94.0-)
  • disorders of fluid and electrolyte imbalance (E86-E87)
  • functional disturbances following cardiac surgery (I97.0-I97.1)
  • intraoperative and postprocedural complications of specified body systems (D78.-, E36.-, E89.-, G97.3-, G97.4, H59.3-, H59.-, H95.2-, H95.3, I97.4-, I97.5, J95.6-, J95.7, K91.6-, L76.-, M96.-, N99.-)
  • ostomy complications (J95.0-, K94.-, N99.5-)
  • postgastric surgery syndromes (K91.1)
  • postlaminectomy syndrome NEC (M96.1)
  • postmastectomy lymphedema syndrome (I97.2)
  • postsurgical blind-loop syndrome (K91.2)
  • ventilator associated pneumonia (J95.851)
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.

On T81 itself
  • code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5)
From Block T80-T88 Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified applies to 1,683 codes
  • code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5)
  • code(s) to identify the specified condition resulting from the complication
  • code to identify devices involved and details of circumstances (Y62-Y82)
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 T81
Values for category T81 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name T81, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming T81: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • T88 Other complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified
    complication following procedure NEC (T81.-)

Code First 1

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and T81 is one of the conditions named.

  • J98.51 Mediastinitis
    underlying condition, if applicable, such as postoperative mediastinitis (T81.-)

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 T81Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified?

T81 is the ICD-10-CM category for complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is T81 (Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified need a more specific code from this category, such as T81.10XA, T81.10XD, and T81.10XS.

Does T81 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5). The additional code is reported after T81.