2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z18Retained foreign body fragments

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z18›Z18

ICD-10-CM Z18
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Z18 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for retained foreign body fragments, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as Z18.01, Z18.09, Z18.10, and Z18.11.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Z18
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Retained foreign body fragments
Short Description
Retained foreign body fragments
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
Z18
Retained foreign body fragments

Code Classification

ChapterZ00–Z99Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
SectionZ18Retained foreign body fragments
CategoryZ18Retained foreign body fragments
This CodeZ18Retained foreign body fragments

Specific Coding for Retained foreign body fragmentsOverview

Non-specific codes like Z18 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Z18.0 for Retained radioactive fragments

  • Use Z18.01 for Retained depleted uranium fragments

  • Use Z18.09 for Other retained radioactive fragments

  • Z18.1 for Retained metal fragments

  • Use Z18.10 for Retained metal fragments, unspecified

  • Use Z18.11 for Retained magnetic metal fragments

  • Use Z18.12 for Retained nonmagnetic metal fragments

  • Use Z18.2 for Retained plastic fragments

  • Z18.3 for Retained organic fragments

  • Use Z18.31 for Retained animal quills or spines

  • Use Z18.32 for Retained tooth

  • Use Z18.33 for Retained wood fragments

  • Use Z18.39 for Other retained organic fragments

  • Z18.8 for Other specified retained foreign body

  • Use Z18.81 for Retained glass fragments

  • Use Z18.83 for Retained stone or crystalline fragments

  • Use Z18.89 for Other specified retained foreign body fragments

  • Use Z18.9 for Retained foreign body fragments, unspecified material

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to Z18: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 21. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • embedded fragment (status)
  • embedded splinter (status)
  • retained foreign body status

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • artificial joint prosthesis status (Z96.6-)
  • foreign body accidentally left during a procedure (T81.5-)
  • foreign body entering through orifice (T15-T19)
  • in situ cardiac device (Z95.-)
  • organ or tissue replaced by means other than transplant (Z96.-, Z97.-)
  • organ or tissue replaced by transplant (Z94.-)
  • personal history of retained foreign body fully removed Z87.821
  • superficial foreign body (non-embedded splinter) - code to superficial foreign body, by site

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 21 (Z00-Z99) Factors influencing health status and contact with health services applies to 1,425 codes
  • Z codes represent reasons for encounters. A corresponding procedure code must accompany a Z code if a procedure is performed. Categories Z00-Z99 are provided for occasions when circumstances other than a disease, injury or external cause classifiable to categories A00-Y89 are recorded as 'diagnoses' or 'problems'. This can arise in two main ways:
  • (a) When a person who may or may not be sick encounters the health services for some specific purpose, such as to receive limited care or service for a current condition, to donate an organ or tissue, to receive prophylactic vaccination (immunization), or to discuss a problem which is in itself not a disease or injury.
  • (b) When some circumstance or problem is present which influences the person's health status but is not in itself a current illness or injury.

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name Z18, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming Z18: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Z03.82 Encounter for observation for suspected foreign body ruled out
    retained foreign body (Z18.-)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming Z18: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Z77 Other contact with and (suspected) exposures hazardous to health
    retained foreign body (Z18.-)

Use Additional Code 9

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and Z18 is one of the codes named.

  • H02.81 Retained foreign body in eyelid
    code to identify the type of retained foreign body (Z18.-)
  • H05.5 Retained (old) foreign body following penetrating wound of orbit
    code to identify the type of retained foreign body (Z18.-)
  • L92.3 Foreign body granuloma of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
    code to identify the type of retained foreign body (Z18.-)
  • M60.2 Foreign body granuloma of soft tissue, not elsewhere classified
    code to identify the type of retained foreign body (Z18.-)
  • R78 Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood
    code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
  • R79 Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry
    code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
  • R82 Other and unspecified abnormal findings in urine
    code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
  • Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
  • Block T51-T65 Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source
    to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

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.

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 Z18Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for retained foreign body fragments?

Z18 is the ICD-10-CM category for retained foreign body fragments, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is Z18 (Retained foreign body fragments) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for retained foreign body fragments, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for retained foreign body fragments need a more specific code from this category, such as Z18.01, Z18.09, and Z18.10.

Can Z18 be reported with a code from Z96.6?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on Z18 lists "artificial joint prosthesis status (Z96.6-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).