T23.309A — Burn of third degree of unspecified hand, unspecified site, initial encounter
Is T23.309A billable?
Yes, but T23.309A will trip a Medicare edit. T23.309A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, CMS lists T23.309A under Medicare Code Editor edit 20, “Unspecified code” — meaning a code specifying laterality (right, left or bilateral) exists in the same family. On an inpatient claim this triggers the edit, because CMS holds that there are very limited circumstances in which laterality cannot be documented.
More specific alternatives
- T23.311ABurn of third degree of right thumb (nail), initial encounter
- T23.321ABurn of third degree of single right finger (nail) except thumb, initial encounter
- T23.331ABurn of third degree of multiple right fingers (nail), not including thumb, initial encounter
- T23.341ABurn of third degree of multiple right fingers (nail), including thumb, initial encounter
- T23.351ABurn of third degree of right palm, initial encounter
- T23.361ABurn of third degree of back of right hand, initial encounter
- T23.371ABurn of third degree of right wrist, initial encounter
- T23.391ABurn of third degree of multiple sites of right wrist and hand, initial encounter
T23.309A at a glance
| Code | T23.309A |
|---|---|
| Description | Burn of third degree of unspecified hand, unspecified site, initial encounter |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "A" | initial encounter |
What does the 7th character "A" mean in T23.309A?
In T23.309A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for T23.309A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
What Medicare edits apply to T23.309A?
The Medicare Code Editor screens inpatient claims before they are grouped. These edits name T23.309A directly.
A code specifying laterality (right, left or bilateral) exists in the same family. CMS holds that there are very limited circumstances in which laterality cannot be documented.
Which MS-DRGs does T23.309A group to?
T23.309A sits in MDC 22 and helps define the logic of 2 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 927Extensive Burns or Full Thickness Burns with MV >96 Hours with Skin Graftsurgical
- 933Extensive Burns or Full Thickness Burns with MV >96 Hours without Skin Graftmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, T23.309A is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG. It also carries Hospital-Acquired Condition category 05.
How is T23.309A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under T23.309, the nearest indexed parent of T23.309A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Burn › hand › third degree (electricity) (flame) (hot gas, liquid or hot object) (radiation) (steam) (thermal)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside T23.309A to fully describe the condition. T23.309A is sequenced first.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Use additional code — inherited from T20-T25
Report an additional code alongside T23.309A to fully describe the condition. T23.309A is sequenced first.
Use additional code — inherited from T23.3
Report an additional code alongside T23.309A to fully describe the condition. T23.309A is sequenced first.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19
The conditions below are not part of T23.309A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T23.309A and the excluded code may both be reported.
How long has T23.309A existed?
T23.309A has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.