Other contact with nonvenomous snake, sequela

This code describes a current health condition or complication that is a direct result of a past encounter with a nonvenomous snake. This could include chronic pain, scarring, infection, or psychological sequelae stemming from the original incident. The initial injury or exposure has resolved, but its lasting effects are still present.

Use this code when documenting a patient presenting with a long-term problem directly attributable to a previous nonvenomous snake encounter. Examples include a patient seeking treatment for a chronic infection at the site of an old bite, or psychological distress (e.g., ophidiophobia) that developed after the incident. This code is appropriate when the acute phase of the original injury is over.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific sequela (e.g., chronic pain, scar, phobia).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the past nonvenomous snake contact.
• Do not use for acute injuries or initial encounters; those require codes from the "initial encounter" or "subsequent encounter" categories.