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ICD-10-CM 2027

ICD-10 code for misadventure

T88.9

Complication of surgical and medical care, unspecified

Header — needs a more specific code

From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Misadventure (of) (prophylactic) (therapeutic)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.

About coding misadventure

The ICD-10-CM code for misadventure is T88.9 (Complication of surgical and medical care, unspecified). The official index lists 5 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on T88.9.

Within T88, choose T88.9 (Complication of surgical and medical care, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: infection following immunization (T88.0), other complications following immunization, not elsewhere classified (T88.1), shock due to anesthesia (T88.2), malignant hyperthermia due to anesthesia (T88.3), failed or difficult intubation (T88.4), other complications of anesthesia (T88.5), anaphylactic reaction due to adverse effect of correct drug or medicament properly administered (T88.6), unspecified adverse effect of drug or medicament (T88.7) and 1 more.

Codes in this range require a 7th character: A for initial encounter, D for subsequent encounter and S for sequela. Use placeholder "X" characters to fill any empty positions before the 7th character.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

More specific misadventure codes (official index)

  • administration of insulin (by accident)
  • infusion
  • local applications (of fomentations, plasters, etc.) T88.9 — Complication of surgical and medical care, unspecified
  • burn or scald
  • specified NEC T88.8 — Other specified complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified
  • medical care (early) (late) T88.9 — Complication of surgical and medical care, unspecified
  • adverse effect of drugs or chemicals
  • burn or scald
  • specified NEC T88.8 — Other specified complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified
  • specified NEC T88.8 — Other specified complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified
  • surgical procedure (early) (late)
  • transfusion
  • vaccination or other immunological procedure

Common questions about misadventure ICD-10 codes

What is the ICD-10 code for misadventure?

T88.9 — Complication of surgical and medical care, unspecified (a header code; report a more specific subcode). More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: T88.9, T88.8, T88.9, T88.8 and others below.

What is the ICD-10 code for local applications misadventure?

T88.9 — Complication of surgical and medical care, unspecified (header code; choose a more specific subcode).

What is the ICD-10 code for medical care misadventure?

T88.9 — Complication of surgical and medical care, unspecified (header code; choose a more specific subcode).

Is T88.9 billable?

No. T88.9 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.