Z18.1
Z18.1: Retained metal fragments
Non-billable headerICD-10-CM
Z18.1 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for retained metal fragments. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below.
Excludes1: never code together
These conditions cannot occur together. Billing both on the same encounter is a denial.
Excludes1 inherited from the categories above Z18.1
A category’s note binds every code beneath it.
Written on Z18: Retained foreign body fragments
- artificial joint prosthesis status (Z96.6-)
- foreign body accidentally left during a procedure (T81.5-)
- foreign body entering through orifice (T15-T19)
- in situ cardiac device (Z95.-)
- organ or tissue replaced by means other than transplant (Z96.-, Z97.-)
- organ or tissue replaced by transplant (Z94.-)
- personal history of retained foreign body fully removed Z87.821
- superficial foreign body (non-embedded splinter) - code to superficial foreign body, by site
Other codes that can never be billed with Z18.1
Their own Excludes1 notes name this code, so the conflict is not listed above.
- Z03.82Encounter for observation for suspected foreign body ruled out
Risk adjustment
No CMS-HCC V28 category: this code does not change a RAF score.
Code history
Unchanged in every release from FY2024 to FY2027.
Code to one of these instead Z18.1
3 child codes. Green means billable.