T15.81XD ICD-10-CM Code: Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, right eye, subsequent encounter

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for T15.81XD in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2026Effective: October 1, 2025

Notes without a marker are published on T15.81XD itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

7th Character Guide

"The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T15"

• A — initial encounter
• D — subsequent encounter (this page’s code)
• S — sequela

How the encounter character is assigned. “Initial encounter” means the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition — it is not limited to the first visit, and a different or new provider giving active treatment still assigns it. “Subsequent encounter” covers care during the healing or recovery phase after active treatment. “Sequela” is for complications or conditions that arise as a direct result of the original condition.

ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, Section I.C.19.a (paraphrased by MedCoder).

Variant codes in this family

T15.81XA, T15.81XD, T15.81XS

Character meanings are CMS's official 7th-character extensions for this family, as carried in each variant code's official description; variant codes are registry rows. The explanation of how the encounter character is assigned is MedCoder editorial, distinct from the official content above it.

Coder workflow for T15.81XD

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code T15.81XD

1. A 7th character is required in this family. Confirm the documented encounter: initial (active treatment), subsequent (healing or recovery phase), or sequela. This page’s code carries “D”. “Initial” means active treatment, not the first visit (Guidelines I.C.19.a).

   See the 7th Character Guide · Guide: 7th characters: initial, subsequent, sequela →

2. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the side documented — right, left, or bilateral — and select the matching code (this page’s code: right). The unspecified-side code applies only when the record states no side. Laterality is assigned from the documented side; where a bilateral code exists and both sides are documented, it is used instead of two unilateral codes (Guidelines I.B.13).

   See the relationships section · Guide: Laterality coding →

3. Confirm the injury type, the anatomical site at the most specific level documented, laterality where the family codes it, and the encounter for the 7th character. Each injury is coded separately unless the classification provides a combination code, and a superficial injury is not coded when a more severe injury of the same site is documented. Injury chapter guidelines (Guidelines I.C.19.b, I.C.19.b.1).

   Guide: 7th characters: initial, subsequent, sequela →

Choose the right path

1. Is the side documented?
   Yes → Select the code for the documented side (or the bilateral code when both sides are documented and one exists).
   No → Use the unspecified-side code only when the record states no side; a query is the alternative.
2. Is the encounter phase documented — active treatment, healing or recovery, or a sequela?
   Yes → Assign the matching 7th character; the variant codes are in the 7th Character Guide.
   No → The code is invalid without its 7th character — query for the missing element.

Consider T15.81XD. Then work the Use Additional Code note, and confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement

Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).

Anatomical site

At the most specific level the record states; a site the classification separates cannot be assumed from a procedure or a measurement.

Laterality

Right, left or bilateral as documented; unspecified only when the record states no side (Guidelines I.B.13).

Encounter type

Active treatment, healing or recovery phase, or sequela — the basis of the 7th character (Guidelines I.C.19.a).

The conditions the Use Additional Code note names

Reported with this code when documented; a conditional instruction (“if applicable”, “if known”) applies only when the record supports it.

External cause, place and activity

For the external cause codes reported with the injury or poisoning, where documented (Guidelines I.C.20.a).

Official instructions as workflow

• Excludes2 — not part of T15.81XD(9 notes)

  Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in T15.81XD. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

  CompareS05.4, S05.5, S01.1, H02.8, H05.5, H44.6

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

• Use Additional Code — after identifying T15.81XD(1 note)

  Coding workflow: Check whether the documentation supports the additional code(s) the note names, and report them with T15.81XD when it does. Where the instruction is conditional (“if applicable”, “if known”), it applies only when the record documents the condition.

  ReviewW44

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.13

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Don’t confuse T15.81XD with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of T15.81XD — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

• T15.82XD— Laterality relationship (Review)

  Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

  The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

  What moves you there: A documented left side moves the case to T15.82XD.

  Full comparison: T15.81XD vs T15.82XD →

• T15.80XD— Laterality relationship (Review)

  Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

  The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

  What moves you there: A record that states no side takes T15.80XD; a documented side moves it back to a sided code.

  Full comparison: T15.81XD vs T15.80XD →

• T15.81XA— Encounter relationship (Review)

  Same underlying diagnosis, different encounter phase.

  The same diagnosis at a different phase of care; one encounter takes one 7th character.

  What moves you there: Documentation of a initial encounter moves the case to T15.81XA.

  Full comparison: T15.81XD vs T15.81XA →

• T15.81XS— Encounter relationship (Review)

  Same underlying diagnosis, different encounter phase.

  The same diagnosis at a different phase of care; one encounter takes one 7th character.

  What moves you there: Documentation of a sequela moves the case to T15.81XS.

  Full comparison: T15.81XD vs T15.81XS →

• S05.4— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

  Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

  A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of foreign body in penetrating wound of orbit and eye ball adds S05.4; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

  Full comparison: T15.81XD vs S05.4 →

• S05.5— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

  Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

  A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of foreign body in penetrating wound of orbit and eye ball adds S05.5; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

  Full comparison: T15.81XD vs S05.5 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Decision Points

The directives on this code's own record, as a pre-claim checklist.

1. A 7th character applies in this family. Confirm the documented encounter matches the character assigned. See the official 7th-character definitions and this code’s variants
2. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the documented side matches the code — the opposite-side siblings are in the relationships section. See the opposite-side sibling codes
3. 1 Use Additional Code instruction — report the named additional code(s) when the documentation supports them. See the Use Additional Code notes
4. 9 Excludes2 entries — those conditions are not part of this code and may be reported additionally when documented. See the Excludes2 notes

Checklist rows are derived from this code's own official directives; the wording of each check is MedCoder editorial. The official notes themselves are in the sections each row links to.

Verify Before Coding

• No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder structured relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name T15.81XD or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 1 Excludes1 note: Z18 — Retained foreign body fragments (via T15.-).

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

Referenced by 11 Excludes2 notes: S00 — Superficial injury of head (via T15.-), S00-S09 — Injuries to the head (S00-S09) (via T15.-), S01 — Open wound of head (via T15.-), S02 — Fracture of skull and facial bones (via T15.-), S03 — Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head (via T15.-), S04 — Injury of cranial nerve (via T15.-), S05 — Injury of eye and orbit (via T15.-), S06 — Intracranial injury (via T15.-), S07 — Crushing injury of head (via T15.-), S08 — Avulsion and traumatic amputation of part of head (via T15.-), S09 — Other and unspecified injuries of head (via T15.-).

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2026)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2026 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 2 MS-DRGs: DRG 949 (MDC 23), DRG 950 (MDC 23).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):INJ057 — Effect of foreign body entering opening, subsequent encounter (default).

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same condition, opposite side

Same category and title, differing only in which side of the body is affected.

T15.80XD — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, unspecified eye, subsequent encounter (unspecified)Compare T15.81XD vs T15.80XD →, T15.82XD — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, left eye, subsequent encounter (left)Compare T15.81XD vs T15.82XD →

Same injury, other encounter phase

Same injury, coded at a different phase of treatment via the 7th character.

T15.81XA — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, right eye, initial encounterCompare T15.81XD vs T15.81XA →, T15.81XS — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, right eye, sequela

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Effect of foreign body entering opening, subsequent encounter).

T15.00XD — Foreign body in cornea, unspecified eye, subsequent encounter, T15.01XD — Foreign body in cornea, right eye, subsequent encounter, T15.02XD — Foreign body in cornea, left eye, subsequent encounter, T15.10XD — Foreign body in conjunctival sac, unspecified eye, subsequent encounter, T15.11XD — Foreign body in conjunctival sac, right eye, subsequent encounter, T15.12XD — Foreign body in conjunctival sac, left eye, subsequent encounter, T15.80XD — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, unspecified eye, subsequent encounter, T15.82XD — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, left eye, subsequent encounter, T15.90XD — Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified, unspecified eye, subsequent encounter, T15.91XD — Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified, right eye, subsequent encounter, T15.92XD — Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified, left eye, subsequent encounter, T16.1XXD — Foreign body in right ear, subsequent encounter, T16.2XXD — Foreign body in left ear, subsequent encounter, T16.9XXD — Foreign body in ear, unspecified ear, subsequent encounter, T17.0XXD — Foreign body in nasal sinus, subsequent encounter, T17.1XXD — Foreign body in nostril, subsequent encounter, T17.200D — Unspecified foreign body in pharynx causing asphyxiation, subsequent encounter, T17.208D — Unspecified foreign body in pharynx causing other injury, subsequent encounter, T17.210D — Gastric contents in pharynx causing asphyxiation, subsequent encounter, T17.218D — Gastric contents in pharynx causing other injury, subsequent encounter, +66 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Foreign body”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

S60.55 — Superficial foreign body of hand (superficial, without open wound, hand), S60.85 — Superficial foreign body of wrist (superficial, without open wound, wrist), S70.25 — Superficial foreign body of hip (superficial, without open wound, hip), S70.35 — Superficial foreign body of thigh (superficial, without open wound, thigh), S80.25 — Superficial foreign body of knee (superficial, without open wound, knee), S80.85 — Superficial foreign body of lower leg (superficial, without open wound, leg), S90.45 — Superficial foreign body of toe (superficial, without open wound, toe, great), S90.456 — Superficial foreign body, unspecified lesser toe(s) (superficial, without open wound, toe), S90.55 — Superficial foreign body of ankle (superficial, without open wound, ankle), S90.85 — Superficial foreign body of foot (superficial, without open wound, foot), T17.0 — Foreign body in nasal sinus (respiratory tract, nasal sinus), T17.1 — Foreign body in nostril (respiratory tract, nose), T17.200 — Unspecified foreign body in pharynx causing asphyxiation (pharynx, causing, asphyxiation), T17.208 — Unspecified foreign body in pharynx causing other injury (pharynx), T17.210 — Gastric contents in pharynx causing asphyxiation (pharynx, causing, asphyxiation, gastric contents), T17.218 — Gastric contents in pharynx causing other injury (pharynx, causing, injury NEC, gastric contents), T17.220 — Food in pharynx causing asphyxiation (pharynx, causing, asphyxiation, food), T17.228 — Food in pharynx causing other injury (pharynx, causing, injury NEC, food), T17.290 — Other foreign object in pharynx causing asphyxiation (pharynx, causing, asphyxiation, specified type NEC), T17.298 — Other foreign object in pharynx causing other injury (pharynx, causing, injury NEC, specified type NEC), +176 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of T15.81XD in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run T15.81XD with these 9 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

• S00-T88 — Chapter 19: Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88) (S00-T88)[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• T15-T19 — Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

• Z18 — Retained foreign body fragments[Excludes1](via T15.-): “foreign body entering through orifice (T15-T19)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Referenced by Excludes2 notes (11)

• S00 — Superficial injury of head[Excludes2](via T15.-): “effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• S00-S09 — Injuries to the head (S00-S09)[Excludes2](via T15.-): “effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• S01 — Open wound of head[Excludes2](via T15.-): “effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• S02 — Fracture of skull and facial bones[Excludes2](via T15.-): “effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• S03 — Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head[Excludes2](via T15.-): “effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• S04 — Injury of cranial nerve[Excludes2](via T15.-): “effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• S05 — Injury of eye and orbit[Excludes2](via T15.-): “effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• S06 — Intracranial injury[Excludes2](via T15.-): “effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• and 3 more

Clinical classification (CCSR)

• INJ057 — Effect of foreign body entering opening, subsequent encounter[CCSR]— AHRQ CCSR for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses (HCUP)

MS-DRG Grouper

• DRG 949 — AFTERCARE WITH CC/MCC[MS-DRG]: “AFTERCARE WITH CC/MCC (MDC 23)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 950 — AFTERCARE WITHOUT CC/MCC[MS-DRG]: “AFTERCARE WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 23)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026

MDC crossing

• MDC 23 — Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services[MDC crossing]: “Factors Influencing Health Status and Other Contacts with Health Services — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 1,235 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026

Nearest codes (40)

• T15 — Foreign body on external eye[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• T15.02XD — Foreign body in cornea, left eye, subsequent encounter[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• T15.02XS — Foreign body in cornea, left eye, sequela[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• T15.1 — Foreign body in conjunctival sac[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• T15.10 — Foreign body in conjunctival sac, unspecified eye[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• T15.10XA — Foreign body in conjunctival sac, unspecified eye, initial encounter[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• T15.10XD — Foreign body in conjunctival sac, unspecified eye, subsequent encounter[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• T15.10XS — Foreign body in conjunctival sac, unspecified eye, sequela[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• and 32 more

Change history

• FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Common coding questions

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data

CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2026 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2025 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Claim edits Official source data

CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v43.1 (April 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Inpatient payment groups Official source data

CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v43 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data

CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder structured relationship

Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears

Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder explanation

Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder structured relationship · MedCoder explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to T15.81XD in its code family, with their registry titles.

• T15.80XA — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, unspecified eye, initial encounter
• T15.80XD — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, unspecified eye, subsequent encounter
• T15.80XS — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, unspecified eye, sequela
• T15.81 — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, right eye
• T15.81XA — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, right eye, initial encounter
• T15.81XS — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, right eye, sequela
• T15.82 — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, left eye
• T15.82XA — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, left eye, initial encounter
• T15.82XD — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, left eye, subsequent encounter
• T15.82XS — Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, left eye, sequela

View all codes in the T15 family