T81.44XA — Sepsis following a procedure, initial encounter
Is T81.44XA billable?
Yes — T81.44XA is billable for FY2027. T81.44XA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. T81.44XA may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
T81.44XA at a glance
| Code | T81.44XA |
|---|---|
| Description | Sepsis following a procedure, 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 T81.44XA?
In T81.44XA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for T81.44XA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does T81.44XA group to?
T81.44XA sits in MDC 15 and helps define the logic of 1 MS-DRG (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 791Prematurity with Major Problemsmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, T81.44XA is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG. It also carries Hospital-Acquired Condition category 13.
How is T81.44XA listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under T81.44, the nearest indexed parent of T81.44XA. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Sepsis › postprocedural (generalized) (unspecified organism)
Use additional code
Report an additional code alongside T81.44XA to fully describe the condition. T81.44XA is sequenced first.
- code to identify the sepsis
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside T81.44XA to fully describe the condition. T81.44XA is sequenced first.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Use additional code — inherited from T80-T88
Report an additional code alongside T81.44XA to fully describe the condition. T81.44XA is sequenced first.
Use additional code — inherited from T81
Report an additional code alongside T81.44XA to fully describe the condition. T81.44XA is sequenced first.
- code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5)
Use additional code — inherited from T81.4
Report an additional code alongside T81.44XA to fully describe the condition. T81.44XA is sequenced first.
- code to identify infection
- code (R65.2-) to identify severe sepsis, if applicable
Use additional code — inherited from T81.44
Report an additional code alongside T81.44XA to fully describe the condition. T81.44XA is sequenced first.
- code to identify the sepsis
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19
The conditions below are not part of T81.44XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T81.44XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from T80-T88
The conditions below are not part of T81.44XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T81.44XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
- any encounters with medical care for postprocedural conditions in which no complications are present, such as:
- artificial opening status (Z93.-)
- closure of external stoma (Z43.-)
- fitting and adjustment of external prosthetic device (Z44.-)
- burns and corrosions from local applications and irradiation (T20-T32)
- complications of surgical procedures during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- mechanical complication of respirator [ventilator] (J95.850)
- poisoning and toxic effects of drugs and chemicals (T36-T65 with fifth or sixth character 1-4 or 6)
- postprocedural fever (R50.82)
- specified complications classified elsewhere, such as:
- cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture (G97.0)
- colostomy malfunction (K94.0-)
- disorders of fluid and electrolyte imbalance (E86-E87)
- functional disturbances following cardiac surgery (I97.0-I97.1)
- intraoperative and postprocedural complications of specified body systems (D78.-, E36.-, E89.-, G97.3-, G97.4, H59.3-, H59.-, H95.2-, H95.3, I97.4-, I97.5, J95.6-, J95.7, K91.6-, L76.-, M96.-, N99.-)
- ostomy complications (J95.0-, K94.-, N99.5-)
- postgastric surgery syndromes (K91.1)
- postlaminectomy syndrome NEC (M96.1)
- postmastectomy lymphedema syndrome (I97.2)
- postsurgical blind-loop syndrome (K91.2)
- ventilator associated pneumonia (J95.851)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from T81
The conditions below are not part of T81.44XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T81.44XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
- complications following immunization (T88.0-T88.1)
- complications following infusion, transfusion and therapeutic injection (T80.-)
- complications of transplanted organs and tissue (T86.-)
- specified complications classified elsewhere, such as:
- complication of prosthetic devices, implants and grafts (T82-T85)
- dermatitis due to drugs and medicaments (L23.3, L24.4, L25.1, L27.0-L27.1)
- endosseous dental implant failure (M27.6-)
- floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) (intraoperative) H21.81
- intraoperative and postprocedural complications of specific body system (D78.-, E36.-, E89.-, G97.3-, G97.4, H59.3-, H59.-, H95.2-, H95.3, I97.4-, I97.5, J95, K91.-, L76.-, M96.-, N99.-)
- ostomy complications (J95.0-, K94.-, N99.5-)
- plateau iris syndrome (post-iridectomy) (postprocedural) H21.82
- poisoning and toxic effects of drugs and chemicals (T36-T65 with fifth or sixth character 1-4)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from T81.4
The conditions below are not part of T81.44XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T81.44XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
- bleb associated endophthalmitis (H59.4-)
- infection due to infusion, transfusion and therapeutic injection (T80.2-)
- infection due to prosthetic devices, implants and grafts (T82.6-T82.7, T83.5-T83.6, T84.5-T84.7, T85.7)
- obstetric surgical wound infection (O86.0-)
- postprocedural fever NOS (R50.82)
- postprocedural retroperitoneal abscess (K68.11)
Code also — inherited from T81.4
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether T81.44XA is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- , if applicable, disruption of internal operation (surgical) wound (T81.32-)
How long has T81.44XA existed?
T81.44XA first appears in FY2019.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.