2025 ICD-10-CM code T63
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes - Toxic effects of substances chiefly non-medicinal as to source Chapter 20: External causes of morbidity Feed
Toxic effect of contact with venomous animals and plants.
Modifiers may apply depending on the specific circumstances of the encounter and services provided.Consult the appropriate modifier guidelines for further information.
The medical necessity for using T63 is established by the presence of a toxic effect directly caused by contact with a venomous animal or plant.The documentation must clearly support a causal link between the exposure and the patient's condition.
The clinical responsibility for coding T63 falls on the physician or qualified healthcare professional directly involved in the patient's care. Accurate documentation is key for appropriate coding.
- Chapter 20: External causes of morbidity
- T63 is within the broader category of Toxic effects of substances chiefly non-medicinal as to source (T51-T65) within Chapter 20.
In simple words: This code is used when someone gets sick from touching or being bitten by a poisonous animal or plant, like a snake or a poisonous plant. It doesn't include swallowing something poisonous.
This code classifies the toxic effect resulting from contact with venomous animals or plants.It includes bites, stings, or contact with thorns or leaves containing venom.Ingestion of toxic substances from animals or plants is excluded.
Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency department after being bitten by a rattlesnake.The patient exhibits symptoms of envenomation including localized swelling, pain, and systemic effects. T63 is coded along with codes for the specific manifestations of envenomation., A hiker suffers from contact dermatitis and localized pain after touching poison ivy. T63 is coded, along with codes describing the resulting skin reaction., A child is stung by a wasp, leading to a localized allergic reaction. Appropriate allergy codes and T63 are used for billing and documentation.
Detailed documentation should include the type of venomous animal or plant involved, the nature of the contact (bite, sting, touch), the time of exposure, the specific symptoms, and the treatment administered.Any allergic reactions should be fully documented.
** Remember that external cause codes (Chapter 20) are always secondary codes and never the principal diagnosis.They provide supplementary information on the cause of injury or other adverse health condition.Additional codes may be necessary to describe specific manifestations or complications.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to T63.
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Toxicology, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Urgent Care Facility