Z18.12
Z18.12: Retained nonmagnetic metal fragments
Billable / specific codeICD-10-CMPOA exempt
Z18.12 is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code for retained nonmagnetic metal fragments. It is valid for submission on a claim.
Check Z18.12 with the rest of the claim: free scrubberExcludes1 inherited from the categories above Z18.12
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 Z18.12
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.
Medicare coverage
Z18.12 is named in 2 Medicare coverage policies: 2 listing it as supporting medical necessity. Which one applies depends on your Medicare contractor.
- A53060Billing and Coding: Ophthalmology: Extended Ophthalmoscopy and Fundus Photography
- A57204Billing and Coding: MRI and CT Scans of the Head and Neck
Alphabetic index entries that lead here
- Retained›foreign body fragments›nonmagnectic metal
- Retained›fragments›nonmagnectic metal
Code history
Unchanged in every release from FY2024 to FY2027.