T79.A
Non-Billable

Traumatic compartment syndrome

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Traumatic compartment syndrome?

ICD-10-CM T79.A is the diagnosis code for Traumatic compartment syndrome. This code falls under the section "Certain early complications of trauma" within Chapter 19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

⛔ Excludes1
â„šī¸ Excludes2

Coding Guidelines for T79.A

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as T79.A. They are mutually exclusive:

  • fibromyalgia (M79.7)
  • nontraumatic compartment syndrome (M79.A-)

â„šī¸ Type 2 Excludes (Code separately if applicable)

The following conditions are not included in T79.A. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • traumatic ischemic infarction of muscle (T79.6)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where T79.A sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 5 entries
T79.A0Compartment syndrome, unspecifiedBillableT79.A1Traumatic compartment syndrome of upper extremityNon-BillableT79.A11Traumatic compartment syndrome of right upper extremityBillableT79.A12Traumatic compartment syndrome of left upper extremityBillableT79.A19Traumatic compartment syndrome of unspecified upper extremityBillableT79.A2Traumatic compartment syndrome of lower extremityNon-BillableT79.A21Traumatic compartment syndrome of right lower extremityBillableT79.A22Traumatic compartment syndrome of left lower extremityBillableT79.A29Traumatic compartment syndrome of unspecified lower extremityBillableT79.A3Traumatic compartment syndrome of abdomenBillableT79.A9Traumatic compartment syndrome of other sitesBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is T79.A a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, T79.A is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does T79.A mean?

T79.A is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Traumatic compartment syndrome". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of T79.A?

The parent code of T79.A is T79 ("Certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified"). T79.A provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is T79.A in?

T79.A is located in Section T79 — "Certain early complications of trauma" within Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of T79.A?

T79.A has 5 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: T79.A0, T79.A1, T79.A2, T79.A3, T79.A9.

When should I use T79.A?

Use T79.A when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Traumatic compartment syndrome" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Traumatic compartment syndrome?

The ICD-10-CM code for Traumatic compartment syndrome is T79.A.

Can T79.A be used for primary diagnosis?

No, T79.A is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is T79.A in?

T79.A is in Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from T79.A?

Type 1 Excludes for T79.A include: fibromyalgia (M79.7); nontraumatic compartment syndrome (M79.A-).

Is T79.A valid for 2026?

Yes, T79.A is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousT79.9Unspecified early complication of traumaNext →T79.A0Compartment syndrome, unspecified
Code Details
T79.A
Traumatic compartment syndrome
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
T79 — Certain early complications of trauma
2026 ICD-10-CM