2025 ICD-10-CM code T34.9
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Injury - Frostbite with tissue necrosis Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88) Feed
Frostbite with tissue necrosis of other and unspecified sites.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the visit and the services rendered.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of frostbite leading to tissue necrosis.Treatment is necessary to prevent infection, reduce pain, manage potential complications and improve functional outcome.
The clinical responsibility involves assessing the extent of the frostbite and tissue damage, providing appropriate treatment (e.g., rewarming, pain management, wound care), and monitoring for complications such as infection.Surgical debridement or amputation may be necessary in severe cases.
In simple words: This code means a person has frostbite that has caused some body tissue to die. The location of the dead tissue is either unknown or not one of the specific locations listed in other similar codes.
This ICD-10-CM code signifies frostbite resulting in tissue necrosis at sites other than those specifically listed in codes T34.0-T34.8.It encompasses cases where the location of the frostbite-induced tissue death is unknown or not specified, or in areas not detailed in other T34 codes.The code should be used when the necrosis is a direct result of frostbite.
Example 1: A patient presents with deep frostbite affecting the toes, leading to tissue necrosis in multiple toes.The specific location isn’t precisely defined and T34.9 is the most accurate code.The patient needs debridement and potential amputation., A homeless individual is found with severe frostbite to an unspecified body part.The exact location is difficult to ascertain due to the patient's condition;T34.9 is used to reflect the nonspecific location of frostbite-related tissue death., A hiker suffers frostbite to a finger during a winter excursion.Tissue necrosis develops later, but the precise location of the affected area is difficult to identify definitively; T34.9 applies in the absence of specific finger-based codes.
Detailed documentation is needed including the date and time of injury, location and extent of frostbite, depth of tissue damage, presence of blisters or other complications, photographs of the affected area, and details of all treatments given.Note whether any foreign body is present.Include a complete history.
** The unspecified nature of T34.9 necessitates thorough documentation to justify the code selection.Always prioritize accurate location description whenever possible, using more specific T34 codes if the site of frostbite and tissue damage can be adequately defined.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Office, Urgent Care Facility