2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T81.82XAEmphysema (subcutaneous) resulting from a procedure, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T80-T88›T81

ICD-10-CM T81.82XA
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

T81.82XA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for emphysema (subcutaneous) resulting from a procedure, 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 919 through 921. Coders also document this condition as intraoperative subcutaneous emphysema. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Complication of other surgical or medical care, injury, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T81.82XA
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Emphysema (subcutaneous) resulting from a procedure, initial encounter
Short Description
Emphysema (subcutaneous) resulting from a procedure, init
Parent Code
T81.82
Emphysema (subcutaneous) resulting from a 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 CodeT81.82XAEmphysema (subcutaneous) resulting from a procedure, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Intraoperative subcutaneous emphysema
  • Subcutaneous emphysema
  • Subcutaneous emphysema due to 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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR INJ037
Complication of other surgical or medical care, injury, initial encounter
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 T81.82XA to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
998.81 Emphysema rsult frm proc
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 T81.82XAOverview

Is T81.82XA (Emphysema (subcutaneous) resulting from a procedure) a billable code?

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

What does the 7th character A in T81.82XA mean?

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

What MS-DRG does T81.82XA group to?

When emphysema (subcutaneous) resulting from a procedure, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 919, 920, 921, with relative weights from 0.6884 to 1.8308 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T81.82XA?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, emphysema (subcutaneous) resulting from a procedure, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 998.81 (emphysema rsult frm proc). 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.