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T33.72 ICD-10-CM Code: Superficial frostbite of left knee and lower leg

Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

Superficial frostbite of left knee and lower leg is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (T33.72). A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission.

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for T33.72 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Includes

Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.

  • frostbite with partial thickness skin loss

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

Frequently Compared Codes

The official Excludes notes on T33.72 name these codes. Each comparison page covers when the two can — or must not — be reported together.

Change history

No changes recorded for this code — unchanged since the FY2016 baseline of the change ledger.

Verify Before Coding

  • Not billable as written — a more specific code is required.
  • Requires a 7th character. "The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T33" Options: T33.72XA, T33.72XD, T33.72XS

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

Relationships & Classification

Other codes that name T33.72 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.

1 Excludes1 notes: T07 (via T33.-).

112 Excludes2 notes across 2 chapters: I73 (via T33.-), S00 (via T33.-), S00-S09 (via T33.-), S01 (via T33.-), S02 (via T33.-), S03 (via T33.-), S04 (via T33.-), S05 (via T33.-), S06 (via T33.-), S07 (via T33.-), S08 (via T33.-), S09 (via T33.-), S10 (via T33.-), S10-S19 (via T33.-), S11 (via T33.-), S12 (via T33.-), S13 (via T33.-), S14 (via T33.-), S15 (via T33.-), S16 (via T33.-), +92 more.

Related Codes

Same condition, opposite side

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

T33.70 — Superficial frostbite of unspecified knee and lower leg (unspecified)Compare T33.72 vs T33.70 →, T33.71 — Superficial frostbite of right knee and lower leg (right)Compare T33.72 vs T33.71 →

Contextual Map

Every relationship of T33.72 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.

Hierarchy

  • S00-T88 — Chapter 19: Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88) (S00-T88) [Hierarchy]

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

  • T07 — Unspecified multiple injuries [Excludes1](via T33.-): “frostbite (T33-T34)” · check together

Referenced by Excludes2 notes (112)

  • I73 — Other peripheral vascular diseases [Excludes2](via T33.-): “frostbite (T33-T34)” · check together
  • S00 — Superficial injury of head [Excludes2](via T33.-): “frostbite (T33-T34)” · check together
  • S00-S09 — Injuries to the head (S00-S09) [Excludes2](via T33.-): “frostbite (T33-T34)” · check together
  • S01 — Open wound of head [Excludes2](via T33.-): “frostbite (T33-T34)” · check together
  • S02 — Fracture of skull and facial bones [Excludes2](via T33.-): “frostbite (T33-T34)” · check together
  • S03 — Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of head [Excludes2](via T33.-): “frostbite (T33-T34)” · check together
  • S04 — Injury of cranial nerve [Excludes2](via T33.-): “frostbite (T33-T34)” · check together
  • S05 — Injury of eye and orbit [Excludes2](via T33.-): “frostbite (T33-T34)” · check together
  • and 104 more

Nearest codes (40)

  • T33 — Superficial frostbite [Sibling]
  • T33.60XA — Superficial frostbite of unspecified hip and thigh, initial encounter [Sibling]
  • T33.60XD — Superficial frostbite of unspecified hip and thigh, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
  • T33.60XS — Superficial frostbite of unspecified hip and thigh, sequela [Sibling]
  • T33.61 — Superficial frostbite of right hip and thigh [Sibling]
  • T33.61XA — Superficial frostbite of right hip and thigh, initial encounter [Sibling]
  • T33.61XD — Superficial frostbite of right hip and thigh, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
  • T33.61XS — Superficial frostbite of right hip and thigh, sequela [Sibling]
  • and 32 more

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance

Can T33.72 be billed directly?

No. T33.72 (Superficial frostbite of left knee and lower leg) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.

Does T33.72 require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T33.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to T33.72 in its code family, with their registry titles.

  • T33.70XS — Superficial frostbite of unspecified knee and lower leg, sequela
  • T33.71 — Superficial frostbite of right knee and lower leg
  • T33.71XA — Superficial frostbite of right knee and lower leg, initial encounter
  • T33.71XD — Superficial frostbite of right knee and lower leg, subsequent encounter
  • T33.71XS — Superficial frostbite of right knee and lower leg, sequela
  • T33.72XA — Superficial frostbite of left knee and lower leg, initial encounter
  • T33.72XD — Superficial frostbite of left knee and lower leg, subsequent encounter
  • T33.72XS — Superficial frostbite of left knee and lower leg, sequela
  • T33.8 — Superficial frostbite of ankle, foot, and toe(s)
  • T33.81 — Superficial frostbite of ankle

View all codes in the T33 family