Late effect of radiation

This code signifies a health condition or symptom that arises as a delayed consequence of exposure to therapeutic or accidental radiation. These effects manifest after the acute phase of radiation exposure has passed, often months or years later. It encompasses a wide range of chronic conditions, from tissue damage to secondary malignancies, directly attributable to prior radiation.

Apply this code when documenting a current medical condition explicitly linked by the provider to a history of radiation exposure. This is appropriate for conditions like radiation-induced fibrosis, osteoradionecrosis, or radiation pneumonitis occurring long after the initial treatment. Documentation must clearly state the causal relationship between the radiation and the current condition.

• Always sequence the specific condition caused by the radiation (e.g., fibrosis, necrosis) first, followed by this late effect code.
• Do not use this code for acute radiation sickness; that requires a different code from the "Effects of radiation" category.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly states "due to radiation" or "radiation-induced" to support the causal link.