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T15 vs Z03.822

T15 (Foreign body on external eye) compared with Z03.822 (Encounter for observation for suspected aspirated (inhaled) foreign body ruled out), 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. Z03.822 carries an Excludes2 note covering T15: “foreign body on external eye (T15)”

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

Side by side

T15Foreign body on external eyeZ03.822Encounter for observation for suspected aspirated (inhaled) foreign body ruled out
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: T15.00XA, T15.00XD, T15.00XS, T15.01XA, T15.01XD

Billable
ClassificationS00-T88 — Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88)Z00-Z99 — Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00-Z99)
DefinitionForeign body on external eye is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (T15).Encounter for observation for suspected aspirated (inhaled) foreign body ruled out is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (Z03.822).
7th characterThe appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T15
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