Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T17

Foreign body in respiratory tract

ICD-10-CM Code:
T17
ICD-10 Code for:
Foreign body in respiratory tract
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice
      (T15-T19)
      • Foreign body in respiratory tract
        (T17)

T17 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of foreign body in respiratory tract. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Foreign body in respiratory tract

Non-specific codes like T17 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for foreign body in respiratory tract:

  • T17.0 for Foreign body in nasal sinus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.1 for Foreign body in nostril - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.2 for Foreign body in pharynx - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.20 for Unspecified foreign body in pharynx - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.21 for Gastric contents in pharynx - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.22 for Food in pharynx - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.29 for Other foreign object in pharynx - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.3 for Foreign body in larynx - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.30 for Unspecified foreign body in larynx - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.31 for Gastric contents in larynx - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.32 for Food in larynx - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.39 for Other foreign object in larynx - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.4 for Foreign body in trachea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.40 for Unspecified foreign body in trachea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.41 for Gastric contents in trachea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.42 for Food in trachea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.49 for Other foreign object in trachea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.5 for Foreign body in bronchus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.50 for Unspecified foreign body in bronchus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.51 for Gastric contents in bronchus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.52 for Food in bronchus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.59 for Other foreign object in bronchus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.8 for Foreign body in other parts of respiratory tract - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.80 for Unspecified foreign body in other parts of respiratory tract - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.81 for Gastric contents in other parts of respiratory tract - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.82 for Food in other parts of respiratory tract - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.89 for Other foreign object in other parts of respiratory tract - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.9 for Foreign body in respiratory tract, part unspecified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.90 for Unspecified foreign body in respiratory tract, part unspecified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.91 for Gastric contents in respiratory tract, part unspecified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.92 for Food in respiratory tract, part unspecified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T17.99 for Other foreign object in respiratory tract, part unspecified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Foreign body in respiratory tract (T17). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


7th Character Note

7th Character Note
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T17

7th Character

7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Patient Education


Foreign Bodies

If you've ever gotten a splinter or had sand in your eye, you've had experience with a foreign body. A foreign body is something that is stuck inside you but isn't supposed to be there. You may inhale or swallow a foreign body, or you may get one from an injury to almost any part of your body. Foreign bodies are more common in small children, who sometimes stick things in their mouths, ears, and noses.

Some foreign bodies, like a small splinter, do not cause serious harm. Inhaled or swallowed foreign bodies may cause choking or bowel obstruction and may require medical care.


[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.