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M79.5 vs T16.1XXS

M79.5 (Residual foreign body in soft tissue) compared with T16.1XXS (Foreign body in right ear, sequela), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).

Can these codes be reported together?

Yes, when both are documented. T16.1XXS carries an Excludes2 note covering M79.5: “residual foreign body in soft tissue (M79.5)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Side by side

M79.5Residual foreign body in soft tissueT16.1XXSForeign body in right ear, sequela
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationM00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99)S00-T88 — Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88)
DefinitionResidual foreign body in soft tissue is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M79.5).Foreign body in right ear, sequela is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (T16.1S).
7th characterThe appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T16
Includes
foreign body in auditory canal
Use additional code
code, if known, for foreign body entering into or through a natural orifice (W44.-)

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources