2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T70.8XXA

Other effects of air pressure and water pressure, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Code:
T70.8XXA
ICD-10 Code for:
Oth effects of air pressure and water pressure, init encntr
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Other and unspecified effects of external causes
      (T66-T78)
      • Effects of air pressure and water pressure
        (T70)

T70.8XXA is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of other effects of air pressure and water pressure, initial encounter. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

T70.8XXA is an initial encounter code, includes a 7th character and should be used while the patient is receiving active treatment for a condition like other effects of air pressure and water pressure. According to ICD-10-CM Guidelines an "initial encounter" doesn't necessarily means "initial visit". The 7th character should be used when the patient is undergoing active treatment regardless if new or different providers saw the patient over the course of a treatment. The appropriate 7th character codes should also be used even if the patient delayed seeking treatment for a condition.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Alternobaric vertigo
  • Barotrauma of descent
  • Barotrauma of descent
  • Barotrauma of descent
  • Blast injury to internal organs
  • Decompression sickness type II
  • Direct tissue damage due to blast
  • Diving barotrauma
  • Dysbaric osteonecrosis
  • Effects of air pressure
  • Effects of air pressure
  • Effects of air pressure caused by explosion
  • Face mask squeeze
  • Injury caused by air pressure
  • Negative pressure pulmonary edema
  • Neurological decompression syndrome
  • Peripheral nerve decompression injury
  • Pulmonary barotrauma
  • Pulmonary overpressurization syndrome
  • Suit squeeze
  • War injury due to air blast

Clinical Classification

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Effects of air pressure and water pressure (T70). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Convert T70.8XXA to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 993.8 - Effect air pressure NEC
    Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Patient Education


Barotrauma

Barotrauma means injury to your body because of changes in barometric (air) or water pressure. One common type happens to your ear. A change in altitude may cause your ears to hurt. This can happen if you are flying in an airplane, driving in the mountains, or scuba diving. Divers can also get decompression sickness, which affects the whole body.

Common symptoms of ear barotrauma include:

  • Pain
  • A feeling that your ears are stuffed
  • Hearing loss
  • Dizziness

Treatments for ear barotrauma include chewing gum and yawning to relieve the pressure. Medications such as decongestants may also help.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.