ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code
T81.41XAInfection following a procedure, superficial incisional surgical site, initial encounter
T81.41XA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for infection following a procedure, superficial incisional surgical site, initial encounter. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.Short description: Infct fol a proc, superfic incisional surgical site, init
Code last changed in FY2019 (effective October 1, 2018). Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data
About T81.41XA
T81.41XA is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for infection following a procedure, superficial incisional surgical site, initial encounter. It belongs to category T81 (complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified), block T80-T88 (complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified) and chapter 19 (injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
The 7th character "A" means initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.
Use an additional code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5).
As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the "with CC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 791 (Prematurity with Major Problems, relative weight 4.1075), DRG 793 (Full Term Neonate with Major Problems, relative weight 4.2195), DRG 856 (Postoperative or Post-Traumatic Infections with O.R. Procedures with MCC, relative weight 4.4826), DRG 857 (Postoperative or Post-Traumatic Infections with O.R. Procedures with CC, relative weight 2.1678), DRG 858 (Postoperative or Post-Traumatic Infections with O.R. Procedures without CC/MCC, relative weight 1.4036), DRG 862 (Postoperative and Post-Traumatic Infections with MCC, relative weight 1.7904) and 1 more, in MDC 15 (Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period) and MDC 18 (Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Systemic or Unspecified Sites), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
It was added in FY2019, effective October 1, 2018.
7th character
Ainitial encounter
CC/MCC status for this injury by encounter: CC for A; Neither CC nor MCC for D, S.
Other encounter types for T81.41:
Notes that apply from higher levels
Instructions written at a parent level also apply to T81.41XA.
› From T81.4 Infection following a procedure
- 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 to identify infection
- code (R65.2-) to identify severe sepsis, if applicable
- , if applicable, disruption of internal operation (surgical) wound (T81.32-)
› From T81 Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified
- 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)
Broader instructions also apply from T80-T88 Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified and Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.
MS-DRG v44.0 grouping
All DRGs →Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.
MDC 15 · Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period
MDC 15 · Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period
MDC 18 · Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Systemic or Unspecified Sites
MDC 18 · Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Systemic or Unspecified Sites
Code history
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- 2027
- FY2019 (effective 10/1/2018): Added
- No changes since FY2019.
Common questions about T81.41XA
Is T81.41XA billable?
- Yes. T81.41XA is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
What does the "A" at the end of T81.41XA mean?
- It is the 7th character for initial encounter. Per the official guidelines, use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.
Can T81.41XA be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict T81.41XA as a principal diagnosis.
Is T81.41XA a CC or MCC?
- T81.41XA is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.
What DRG does T81.41XA group to?
- T81.41XA is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 791 (Prematurity with Major Problems), MS-DRG 793 (Full Term Neonate with Major Problems), MS-DRG 856 (Postoperative or Post-Traumatic Infections with O.R. Procedures with MCC), MS-DRG 857 (Postoperative or Post-Traumatic Infections with O.R. Procedures with CC), MS-DRG 858 (Postoperative or Post-Traumatic Infections with O.R. Procedures without CC/MCC), MS-DRG 862 (Postoperative and Post-Traumatic Infections with MCC) and 1 more. Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.