Bitten by other nonvenomous reptiles, sequela

This code signifies a past injury resulting from a bite by a nonvenomous reptile, excluding snakes and lizards, where the long-term effects or complications of that bite are currently being treated. It indicates that the acute phase of the injury has passed, and the patient is now presenting with residual issues.

This code is appropriate for encounters where a patient is being managed for sequelae such as chronic infection, scar tissue formation, nerve damage, or persistent pain directly attributable to a previous bite from an animal like a turtle, alligator, or crocodile. It should be used when the original bite occurred at some point in the past and the current encounter addresses its lasting impact.

• Always ensure the "S" seventh character is used for sequela, indicating a complication or condition arising as a direct result of the initial injury.
• Do not use this code for acute bites; those require the initial encounter (A) or subsequent encounter (D) seventh characters.
• Code any specific sequelae (e.g., chronic osteomyelitis, scar contracture) in addition to this external cause code.