2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T81.9XXSUnspecified complication of procedure, sequela

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T80-T88›T81

ICD-10-CM T81.9XXS
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T81.9XXS is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified complication of 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 922 through 923. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Complication, sequela.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T81.9XXS
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified complication of procedure, sequela
Short Description
Unspecified complication of procedure, sequela
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
T81.9
Unspecified complication of 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 CodeT81.9XXSUnspecified complication of procedure, sequela

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

T81.9XXS is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review the other POA exempt codes in Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified (T80-T88).

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Airway morbidity
  • Anesthesia morbidity
  • Application site disorder
  • Cancer treatment related morbidity
  • Cardiovascular morbidity
  • Clavien-Dindo classification finding
  • Clavien-Dindo classification grade I
  • Clavien-Dindo classification grade II
  • Clavien-Dindo classification grade III
  • Clavien-Dindo classification grade IIIa
  • Clavien-Dindo classification grade IIIb
  • Clavien-Dindo classification grade IV
  • Complication after wiring of sternum
  • Complication due to and following cosmetic surgery
  • Complication of administrative procedure
  • Complication of cryotherapy procedure
  • Complication of cutaneous surgery
  • Complication of diagnostic procedure
  • Complication of electroshock therapy
  • Complication of health care
  • Complication of hydrotherapy procedure
  • Complication of introduction procedure
  • Complication of laser surgery
  • Complication of manipulation procedure
  • Complication of neonatal circumcision
  • Complication of observation procedure
  • Complication of patch testing
  • Complication of physical rehabilitation therapy procedure
  • Complication of previous biliary non-surgical procedure
  • Complication of procedure
  • Complication of puncture procedure
  • Complication of reduction procedure
  • Complication of respiratory therapy procedure
  • Complication of retained tympanic ventilation tube
  • Complication of surgical procedure
  • Complication of traction procedure
  • Complication of ventilation therapy
  • Disorder due to and following breast reduction
  • Disorder due to ultrasound therapy
  • Disorder following clinical procedure
  • Disorder of dental prosthesis
  • Endocrine system complication of procedure
  • Iatrogenic complication of vascular surgery
  • Intraoperative complication
  • Metabolic complication of procedures
  • Perioperative complication
  • Phototherapy complication
  • Post gastrointestinal tract surgery hypoglycemia
  • Postoperative complication
  • Post-splenectomy disorder
  • Regional anesthesia morbidity
  • Respiratory morbidity
  • Surgical site reaction

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 T81.9XXS: its own notes plus those printed at T81, 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.

From T81 Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified applies to 240 codes
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.

From T81 Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified applies to 240 codes
  • 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.

From T81 Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified applies to 240 codes
  • 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 this code

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name T81.9XXS, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming T81.9XXS: 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.-) names T81.-, which includes this code

Code First 1

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and T81.9XXS is one of the conditions named.

  • J98.51 Mediastinitis
    underlying condition, if applicable, such as postoperative mediastinitis (T81.-) names T81.-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

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

Convert T81.9XXS 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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About T81.9XXSOverview

What is the ICD-10 code for unspecified complication of procedure, sequela?

The ICD-10-CM code for unspecified complication of procedure, sequela is T81.9XXS (sometimes written as T819XXS). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is T81.9XXS (Unspecified complication of procedure) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified complication of procedure, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What does the 7th character S in T81.9XXS mean?

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

What MS-DRG does T81.9XXS group to?

When unspecified complication of procedure, sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 923, 922, with relative weights from 0.9980 to 1.6248 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is T81.9XXS 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 procedure, sequela on inpatient claims. The code appears in the Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified (T80-T88) range of the CMS exempt list.