Z18.9 Retained foreign body fragments, unspecified material
Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026. Exempt from present-on-admission (POA) reporting.
Applies from Z18 Retained foreign body fragments
Includes
embedded fragment (status)
embedded splinter (status)
retained foreign body status
Excludes1 (never code together)
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
MS-DRG index
Defines the logic of DRG(s) 951 in MDC 23.
Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)
V90.9 Retained foreign body, unspecified material
Medicare Code Edits (MCE v43.1 (April 2026))
Unacceptable principal diagnosis: These codes describe a circumstance which influences care but is not a current illness or injury, or capture only an underlying condition, and are unacceptable as principal diagnosis.
Code annotations containing back-references to Z18.9
Back-references to Z18.9
Use Additional: H44.7 Retained (old) intraocular foreign body, nonmagnetic ("code to identify nonmagnetic foreign body (Z18.01-Z18.10, Z18.12, Z18.2-Z18.9)")
Back-references to Z18
Use Additional: H02.81 Retained foreign body in eyelid ("code to identify the type of retained foreign body (Z18.-)")
Use Additional: H05.5 Retained (old) foreign body following penetrating wound of orbit ("code to identify the type of retained foreign body (Z18.-)")
Use Additional: L92.3 Foreign body granuloma of the skin and subcutaneous tissue ("code to identify the type of retained foreign body (Z18.-)")
Use Additional: M60.2 Foreign body granuloma of soft tissue, not elsewhere classified ("code to identify the type of retained foreign body (Z18.-)")
Use Additional: R78 Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood ("code to identify the any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)")
Use Additional: R79 Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry ("code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)")
Use Additional: R82 Other and unspecified abnormal findings in urine ("code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)")
Type 1 Excludes: Z03.82 Encounter for observation for suspected foreign body ruled out ("retained foreign body (Z18.-)")
Type 2 Excludes: Z77 Other contact with and (suspected) exposures hazardous to health ("retained foreign body (Z18.-)")