T87.40 — Infection of amputation stump, unspecified extremity
Is T87.40 billable?
Yes, but T87.40 will trip a Medicare edit. T87.40 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, CMS lists T87.40 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.
T87.40 at a glance
| Code | T87.40 |
|---|---|
| Description | Infection of amputation stump, unspecified extremity |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
What Medicare edits apply to T87.40?
The Medicare Code Editor screens inpatient claims before they are grouped. These edits name T87.40 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 T87.40 group to?
T87.40 sits in MDC 08 and helps define the logic of 3 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 564Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCCmedical
- 565Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CCmedical
- 566Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, T87.40 is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.
How is T87.40 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
These are the routes through the Alphabetic Index that lead to T87.40. They show the wording a clinician may have documented, which often differs from the Tabular description.
- Complication › amputation stumpNEC › infection or inflammation (s) (from) (of)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside T87.40 to fully describe the condition. T87.40 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 T87.40 to fully describe the condition. T87.40 is sequenced first.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19
The conditions below are not part of T87.40, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T87.40 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from T80-T88
The conditions below are not part of T87.40, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T87.40 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)
How long has T87.40 existed?
T87.40 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.