T34.72 ICD-10-CM Code: Frostbite with tissue necrosis 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
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for T34.72 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Excludes2 — Not Included Here
Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.
- frostbite with tissue necrosis of ankle and foot (T34.8-) Compare T34.72 vs T34.8 →
- hypothermia and other effects of reduced temperature (T68, T69.-) Compare T34.72 vs T68 →
Frequently Compared Codes
The official Excludes notes on T34.72 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: T34.72XA, T34.72XD, T34.72XS.
- Requires a 7th character. "The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T34" Options: T34.72XA, T34.72XD, T34.72XS
From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim.
Contextual Map
Every relationship of T34.72 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]
Nearest codes (40)
- T34 — Frostbite with tissue necrosis [Sibling]
- T34.60XA — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of unspecified hip and thigh, initial encounter [Sibling]
- T34.60XD — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of unspecified hip and thigh, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
- T34.60XS — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of unspecified hip and thigh, sequela [Sibling]
- T34.61 — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right hip and thigh [Sibling]
- T34.61XA — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right hip and thigh, initial encounter [Sibling]
- T34.61XD — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right hip and thigh, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
- T34.61XS — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right hip and thigh, sequela [Sibling]
- and 32 more
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Can T34.72 be billed directly?
No. T34.72 (Frostbite with tissue necrosis 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 T34.72 require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T34.
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to T34.72 in its code family, with their registry titles.
- T34.70XS — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of unspecified knee and lower leg, sequela
- T34.71 — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right knee and lower leg
- T34.71XA — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right knee and lower leg, initial encounter
- T34.71XD — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right knee and lower leg, subsequent encounter
- T34.71XS — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of right knee and lower leg, sequela
- T34.72XA — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of left knee and lower leg, initial encounter
- T34.72XD — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of left knee and lower leg, subsequent encounter
- T34.72XS — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of left knee and lower leg, sequela
- T34.8 — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of ankle, foot, and toe(s)
- T34.81 — Frostbite with tissue necrosis of ankle