T79 – Certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Certain early complications of trauma (T79)

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code T79

Code: T79 (claims format: T79)
Description: Certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified
Short description: Certain early complications of trauma, NEC
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 19. Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
Block: T79 Certain early complications of trauma (T79)

Billable codes under T79

T79 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

T79.0 – Air embolism (traumatic)Header (more codes below)
T79.1 – Fat embolism (traumatic)Header (more codes below)
T79.2 – Traumatic secondary and recurrent hemorrhage and seromaHeader (more codes below)
T79.4 – Traumatic shockHeader (more codes below)
T79.5 – Traumatic anuriaHeader (more codes below)
T79.6 – Traumatic ischemia of muscleHeader (more codes below)
T79.7 – Traumatic subcutaneous emphysemaHeader (more codes below)
T79.A – Traumatic compartment syndromeHeader (more codes below)
T79.8 – Other early complications of traumaHeader (more codes below)
T79.9 – Unspecified early complication of traumaHeader (more codes below)

7th character values

Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care (use placeholder X for empty positions).

Character	Meaning
`A`	initial encounter
`D`	subsequent encounter
`S`	sequela

Notes for T79

Excludes2 (not included here):

acute respiratory distress syndrome (J80)
complications occurring during or following medical procedures (T80-T88)
complications of surgical and medical care NEC (T80-T88)
newborn respiratory distress syndrome (P22.0)

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T79

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code T79?

T79 is the ICD-10-CM code for certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified, in the block T79 (Certain early complications of trauma (T79)).

Is T79 a billable code?

No. T79 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.