ICD-10 Code for Frostbite

The default ICD-10-CM 2027 code for frostbite (superficial) is T33.90 – Superficial frostbite of unspecified sites (a header – choose a more specific code). More specific codes depend on the details documented, as listed in the official index (34 codes, 0 billable).

Main code: T33.90 – Superficial frostbite of unspecified sites
Billable: No – header code

Index entries for Frostbite

with
- partial thickness skin loss – see Frostbite (superficial), by site
- tissue necrosis – T34.90 (header)
abdominal wall – T33.3 (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.3 (header)
ankle – T33.81- (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.81- (header)
arm – T33.4- (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.4- (header)
- finger (s) – see Frostbite, finger
- hand – see Frostbite, hand
- wrist – see Frostbite, wrist
ear – T33.01- (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.01- (header)
face – T33.09 (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.09 (header)
finger – T33.53- (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.53- (header)
foot – T33.82- (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.82- (header)
hand – T33.52- (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.52- (header)
head – T33.09 (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.09 (header)
- ear – see Frostbite, ear
- nose – see Frostbite, nose
hip (and thigh) – T33.6- (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.6- (header)
knee – T33.7- (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.7- (header)
leg – T33.99 (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.99 (header) – see also Frostbite, by specific site on leg, if specified
- ankle – see Frostbite, ankle
- foot – see Frostbite, foot
- knee – see Frostbite, knee
- lower – T33.7- (header)
  - with tissue necrosis – T34.7- (header)
- thigh – see Frostbite, hip
- toe – see Frostbite, toe
limb
- lower – T33.99 (header)
  - with tissue necrosis – T34.99 (header)
- upper – see Frostbite, arm
neck – T33.1 (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.1 (header)
nose – T33.02 (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.02 (header)
pelvis – T33.3 (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.3 (header)
specified site NEC – T33.99 (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.99 (header)
thigh – see Frostbite, hip
thorax – T33.2 (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.2 (header)
toes – T33.83- (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.83- (header)
trunk – T33.99 (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.99 (header)
wrist – T33.51- (header)
- with tissue necrosis – T34.51- (header)

How to choose the right code

Start with the main term, then pick the indented subterm that matches the documentation (type, cause, site, laterality, episode of care). Always confirm the code in the tabular list: follow its Excludes1/Excludes2, “code first” and “use additional code” notes, and add a 7th character where required.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 alphabetic index.