Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z18.3

Retained organic fragments

ICD-10-CM Code:
Z18.3
ICD-10 Code for:
Retained organic fragments
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
    (Z00–Z99)
    • Retained foreign body fragments
      (Z18)
      • Retained foreign body fragments
        (Z18)

Z18.3 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of retained organic fragments. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Retained organic fragments

Non-specific codes like Z18.3 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for retained organic fragments:

  • Use Z18.31 for Retained animal quills or spines - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z18.32 for Retained tooth - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z18.33 for Retained wood fragments - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Z18.39 for Other retained organic fragments - BILLABLE CODE

Patient Education


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. Foreign bodies are more common in small children, who sometimes stick things in their mouths, ears, and noses.

Some foreign bodies, like a small splinter, do not cause serious harm. Inhaled or swallowed foreign bodies may cause choking or bowel obstruction and may require medical care.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.