U.S. ICD-10-CM · FY 2027

Z18 ICD-10-CM Code: Retained foreign body fragments

A clear reference for the official code description, hierarchy, and related coding information from the FY 2027 U.S. release.

Code definition

Official description

Z18

Retained foreign body fragments

ICD-10-CM diagnosis code · United States clinical modification

Classification

Where Z18 sits

  1. 1

    Chapter 21

    Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)

  2. 2

    Section

    Retained foreign body fragments (Z18)

  3. 3

    Category Z18

    Retained foreign body fragments

  4. 4

    Code Z18

    Retained foreign body fragments

More specific choices

Codes under Z18

Z18 is a non-billable category. Choose the child code that best matches the documented diagnosis.

Documentation details

Notes for this code

Inclusion terms

No inclusion terms are listed for Z18.

Code first

No “code first” instruction is listed for Z18.

Use additional code

No “use additional code” instruction is listed for Z18.

Excludes1

Conditions that should not be reported together with this code.

  • 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

Excludes2

Conditions not included here that may be reported separately when present.

No Excludes2 note is listed for Z18.

Transparency

Source and release

Data release

U.S. ICD-10-CM · FY 2027

Effective date

Oct 1, 2026

This reference is generated from Vero’s ICD-10-CM description, hierarchy, and code-note dataset. The visible content and structured data share that source.

Review the CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM source

Code-specific guidance

Frequently asked questions

What does ICD-10-CM code Z18 mean?

Z18 is the FY 2027 U.S. ICD-10-CM code for “Retained foreign body fragments.”

Is Z18 a billable or specific ICD-10-CM code?

No. Z18 has more specific child codes in the FY 2027 reference data. Select the code that matches the documentation and confirm the active code set and payer requirements.

Where is Z18 located in ICD-10-CM?

Z18 is listed in Chapter 21, Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99), within Retained foreign body fragments (Z18) (Z18–Z18), under category Z18, Retained foreign body fragments.

What coding notes are listed for Z18?

No inclusion terms are listed for Z18 in this reference record. No code-first instruction is listed. Excludes1 notes: 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. No Excludes2 note is listed.

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