ICD-10 T68
Non-Billable HeaderHypothermia
About ICD-10-CM T68
ICD-10-CM code T68 represents Hypothermia. This is a non-billable header code in the Injury, Poisoning, and External Causes chapter (block T68). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM T68 became effective on October 1, 2025. Non-billable codes cannot be used as a primary or secondary diagnosis on a claim, use a more specific child code instead.
Coding Tips for T68
Specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team. Specificity warnings, HCC capture rules, sequencing notes.
Injury codes require a 7th character: A (initial encounter, active treatment), D (subsequent, healing/recovery), S (sequela, late effect of original injury). Codes with fewer than 6 characters need the placeholder X to bring them to 6 characters before adding the 7th. Wrong or missing 7th character is the #1 cause of injury claim denials.
Inclusion Terms / Approximate Synonyms
Clinical terms and conditions classified under T68. Per CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular 2026.
- Accidental hypothermia
- Hypothermia NOS
Type 1 Excludes
Pure excludes, these codes can never be coded together with T68. The conditions are mutually exclusive (e.g., congenital vs acquired forms).
- hypothermia following anesthesia (T88.51)
- hypothermia not associated with low environmental temperature (R68.0)
- hypothermia of newborn (P80.-)
Type 2 Excludes
Not included here, the excluded code is not part of T68, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. Both codes may be coded together when applicable.
- frostbite (T33-T34)
Use Additional Code
When coding T68, also report these additional codes when applicable.
- code to identify source of exposure:
- Exposure to excessive cold of man-made origin (W93)
- Exposure to excessive cold of natural origin (X31)
Coding Notes
Seven Chr Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code T68
Medicare LCD Coverage for T68
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list T68 as a covered diagnosis.
This doesn't mean the code isn't covered, it means no MAC has issued a Local Coverage Determination naming this specific code. Coverage may still apply under National Coverage Determinations or general medical-necessity rules.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing T68.
Our payer policy database covers Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, BCBS, Humana, and Medicare Advantage plans, but T68 doesn't currently appear in any indexed policy. The code may still be covered under standard plan benefits.
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with T68
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
We don't have CPT pairings indexed for this specific code yet. Use the CPT search above to find common procedures, or check your payer's published medical policy for code-specific guidance.
Codes Adjacent To T68
Other codes in section T66-T78 (Other and unspecified effects of external causes).
ICD-10 T68, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code T68 billable? +
No, T68 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block T68 when submitting claims.
What other names or terms map to T68? +
ICD-10 T68 includes: Accidental hypothermia; Hypothermia NOS.
What codes are Type 1 Excludes for T68? +
Type 1 Excludes (never code together with T68): hypothermia following anesthesia (T88.51); hypothermia not associated with low environmental temperature (R68.0); hypothermia of newborn (P80.-)
What codes are Type 2 Excludes for T68? +
Type 2 Excludes (may be coded together when both conditions exist): frostbite (T33-T34)
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on June 1, 2026.
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