2025 ICD-10-CM code T39

Poisoning by, adverse effect of, and underdosing of nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics, and antirheumatics.

Follow the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines.Always use the most specific code possible.Remember that the code should accurately reflect the clinical picture and not simply based on the patient's symptoms.

Modifiers may be applicable depending on the context of service and specific circumstances of the case. For example, modifiers could indicate the type of service (e.g., initial visit, subsequent visit, emergency room visit).

Medical necessity is established by the presence of symptoms consistent with poisoning or adverse effects related to nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics, or antirheumatics. This necessitates appropriate diagnostic testing and treatment to address the immediate and potential long-term health consequences.

The clinical responsibility involves diagnosing the poisoning or adverse effect, identifying the causative agent, managing symptoms, and providing appropriate treatment.This may require toxicology testing and specialized interventions.

IMPORTANT Additional codes from T36-T50 (with 5th or 6th character as '5') should be used to specify the exact drug involved.Codes from other chapters may be necessary to specify the nature of the adverse effect (e.g., gastrointestinal issues, blood disorders).

In simple words: This code is used when someone experiences problems due to taking too much, too little, or the wrong type of pain reliever, fever reducer, or medicine for arthritis that doesn't contain an opioid (narcotic).

This ICD-10-CM code encompasses poisoning, adverse effects, and underdosing resulting from nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics, and antirheumatics.It includes instances of accidental overdose, incorrect medication administration, and inadvertent ingestion.The specific drug causing the adverse effect should be identified using codes T36-T50 with a fifth or sixth character of '5'.Additional codes may be necessary to specify manifestations of poisoning or underdosing.

Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency room after accidentally ingesting a large quantity of ibuprofen, experiencing nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.Code T39 is assigned, along with a more specific code from T36-T50 to indicate ibuprofen as the culprit., A patient on a prescribed regimen of acetaminophen experiences liver damage due to exceeding the recommended daily dose.Code T39 is used, supplemented by a code specifying liver damage and the drug involved from the T36-T50 range., An elderly patient is given the incorrect dosage of aspirin by a caregiver, resulting in gastrointestinal bleeding.Code T39 is applied, along with codes specifying gastrointestinal hemorrhage and the medication involved (aspirin) from T36-T50.

Thorough documentation should include details of the ingested substance (name, amount, route of administration), timing of ingestion, symptoms, laboratory results (if available), treatment provided, and patient's response to treatment.Supporting documentation may include toxicology reports and medication reconciliation.

** Always refer to the most recent version of the ICD-10-CM coding manual for the most accurate and up-to-date information.Consider using additional codes to specify the intent (accidental, intentional self-harm, assault), the encounter status (initial, subsequent), and any complications or sequelae.

  • Payment Status: Active
  • Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to this diagnosis code.
  • Specialties:Emergency medicine, toxicology, internal medicine, family medicine
  • Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Urgent Care Facility, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital
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