2025 ICD-10-CM code T18.0
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Injury - Foreign body in alimentary tract Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes Feed
Foreign body in the mouth.
Medical necessity is established when the presence of a foreign body in the mouth causes symptoms requiring medical intervention, such as difficulty breathing, swallowing, or pain.Additional medical necessity may be supported by documented injuries or complications.
The clinical responsibility involves evaluating the patient, removing the foreign body safely (if possible), managing any related injuries or complications, and providing appropriate patient education.
- Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
- T18 (Foreign body in alimentary tract)
In simple words: A foreign object is stuck in someone's mouth.
This code classifies the presence of a foreign body lodged within the oral cavity (mouth).The foreign body may be any object or substance not naturally occurring in the mouth, causing potential injury or discomfort.Accurate coding requires specifying the nature of the foreign body and its location within the mouth if possible. Additional codes may be necessary to specify complications or related conditions.
Example 1: A young child presents with a small toy lodged in their mouth, causing difficulty breathing and excessive drooling.The physician removes the toy and provides reassurance., An adult patient presents with a fish bone stuck in their throat.After removing the fishbone, the physician examines the throat for injury and prescribes analgesics for pain relief., A patient with a history of seizures accidentally bites down on a small piece of plastic while experiencing a seizure, causing lacerations in the oral cavity.The physician addresses the lacerations and the potential need for tetanus prophylaxis.
Detailed description of the foreign body (type, size, location). Documentation of the removal procedure and any associated treatment.If applicable, documentation of any associated injuries or complications.Note: if the foreign body is not removed, it requires appropriate code documentation.
** This code is primarily used for foreign bodies that are easily visible and accessible in the oral cavity.If the foreign body is deeply embedded or requires specialized procedures to remove, additional codes might be needed.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Otolaryngology, Dentistry
- Place of Service:Office, Emergency Room - Hospital, Urgent Care Facility