2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code X31Exposure to excessive natural cold
X31 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for exposure to excessive natural cold, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as X31.XXXA, X31.XXXD, and X31.XXXS.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Excessive cold as the cause of chilblains NOS
- Excessive cold as the cause of immersion foot or hand
- Exposure to cold NOS
- Exposure to weather conditions
Type 1 Excludes
- cold of man-made origin W93
- contact with or inhalation of dry ice W93
- contact with or inhalation of liquefied gas W93
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code X31
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
Patient EducationClinical
Hypothermia
Cold weather can affect your body in different ways. You can get frostbite, which is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Your body can also lose heat faster than you can produce it. That can cause hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. It can make you sleepy, confused, and clumsy.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About X31Overview
Is X31 (Exposure to excessive natural cold) a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for exposure to excessive natural cold, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for exposure to excessive natural cold need a more specific code from this category, such as X31.XXXA, X31.XXXD, and X31.XXXS.
