ICD-10-CM › S00-T88 › T51-T65 › T56.9 Toxic effects of unspecified metal › T56.94

This code exists but cannot be submitted on its own. It groups the more specific codes beneath it.

A category header for its whole life, FY2016 onwards. It has never been valid for submission on its own.

Submit one of these 3 more specific codes instead:

• T56.94XA Toxic effect of unspecified metal, undetermined, initial encounter
• T56.94XD Toxic effect of unspecified metal, undetermined, subsequent encounter
• T56.94XS Toxic effect of unspecified metal, undetermined, sequela

This code requires a seventh character. See the rule below.

What has happened to this code

Official coding rules

Published by CDC for FY2027. A rule attached to a category binds every code beneath it, so the rules inherited from this code's ancestors are shown with the code they come from.

Inherited from T56 Toxic effect of metals

Seventh character required

• The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T56

Excludes1 - never coded here

• arsenic and its compounds (T57.0)
• manganese and its compounds (T57.2)

Use additional code

• code to identify any retained metal foreign body, if applicable (Z18.0-, T18.1-)

Includes

• toxic effects of fumes and vapors of metals
• toxic effects of metals from all sources, except medicinal substances

Inherited from the T51-T65 section Toxic effects of substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source (T51-T65)

Excludes1 - never coded here

• contact with and (suspected) exposure to toxic substances (Z77.-)

Use additional code

• code(s):
• for all associated manifestations of toxic effect, such as: respiratory conditions due to external agents (J60-J70)
• personal history of foreign body fully removed (Z87.821)
• to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Note

• When no intent is indicated code to accidental. Undetermined intent is only for use when there is specific documentation in the record that the intent of the toxic effect cannot be determined.

How CDC's index refers to this code

Wording from the official alphabetic index. Much of it appears nowhere in the code description, which is why a search for the everyday phrase so often finds nothing.

• Fumes > metal
• Metals
• Smelter fumes NEC
• Metals > light NEC
• Metals > dust, fumes, or vapor NEC
• Metals > light NEC > dust, fumes, or vapor NEC

Codes in the same group

Code	Description	Status
T56.91	Toxic effect of unspecified metal, accidental (unintentional)	Not billable
T56.92	Toxic effect of unspecified metal, intentional self-harm	Not billable
T56.93	Toxic effect of unspecified metal, assault	Not billable