2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T81.508SUnspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following other procedure, sequela

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T80-T88›T81

ICD-10-CM T81.508S
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

T81.508S is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following other procedure, sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. 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. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as foreign object left in body during aspiration of fluid or tissue, puncture and catheterization. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Complication, sequela.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T81.508S
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following other procedure, sequela
Short Description
Unsp comp of fb acc left in body fol oth procedure, sequela
Parent Code
T81.508
Unspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following other procedure

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 CodeT81.508SUnspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following other procedure, sequela

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

T81.508S is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Foreign object left in body during aspiration of fluid or tissue, puncture and catheterization
  • Foreign object left in body during blood sampling

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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR INJ076
Complication, sequela
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Foreign Bodies

If you've ever gotten a splinter or had sand in your eye, you've had experience with a foreign body. A foreign body is something that is stuck inside you but isn't supposed to be there. You may inhale or swallow a foreign body, or you may get one from an injury to almost any part of your body.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert T81.508S to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
909.3 Late eff surg/med compl
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 T81.508SOverview

Is T81.508S a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following other procedure, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character S in T81.508S mean?

The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the unspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following other procedure itself has resolved, not the original event.

What MS-DRG does T81.508S group to?

When unspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following other procedure, sequela 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.

Is T81.508S exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for unspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following other procedure, sequela on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T81.508S?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified complication of foreign body accidentally left in body following other procedure, sequela converts to ICD-9-CM 909.3 (late eff surg/med compl). 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.