2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T17Foreign body in respiratory tract

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T15-T19›T17

ICD-10-CM T17
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T17 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for foreign body in respiratory tract, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T17.0XXA, T17.0XXD, T17.0XXS, and T17.1XXA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T17
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Foreign body in respiratory tract
Short Description
Foreign body in respiratory tract
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
T15-T19
Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionT15-T19Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice
CategoryT17Foreign body in respiratory tract
This CodeT17Foreign body in respiratory tract

Specific Coding for Foreign body in respiratory tractOverview

Non-specific codes like T17 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • T17.0 for Foreign body in nasal sinus

  • T17.1 for Foreign body in nostril

  • T17.2 for Foreign body in pharynx

  • T17.20 for Unspecified foreign body in pharynx

  • T17.21 for Gastric contents in pharynx

  • T17.22 for Food in pharynx

  • T17.29 for Other foreign object in pharynx

  • T17.3 for Foreign body in larynx

  • T17.30 for Unspecified foreign body in larynx

  • T17.31 for Gastric contents in larynx

  • T17.32 for Food in larynx

  • T17.39 for Other foreign object in larynx

  • T17.4 for Foreign body in trachea

  • T17.40 for Unspecified foreign body in trachea

  • T17.41 for Gastric contents in trachea

  • T17.42 for Food in trachea

  • T17.49 for Other foreign object in trachea

  • T17.5 for Foreign body in bronchus

  • T17.50 for Unspecified foreign body in bronchus

  • T17.51 for Gastric contents in bronchus

  • T17.52 for Food in bronchus

  • T17.59 for Other foreign object in bronchus

  • T17.8 for Foreign body in other parts of respiratory tract

  • T17.80 for Unspecified foreign body in other parts of respiratory tract

  • T17.81 for Gastric contents in other parts of respiratory tract

  • T17.82 for Food in other parts of respiratory tract

  • T17.89 for Other foreign object in other parts of respiratory tract

  • T17.9 for Foreign body in respiratory tract, part unspecified

  • T17.90 for Unspecified foreign body in respiratory tract, part unspecified

  • T17.91 for Gastric contents in respiratory tract, part unspecified

  • T17.92 for Food in respiratory tract, part unspecified

  • T17.99 for Other foreign object in respiratory tract, part unspecified

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

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 applicable episode of care:

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

Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to T17: its own notes plus those printed at block T15-T19 and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Block T15-T19 Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice applies to 261 codes
  • foreign body accidentally left in operation wound (T81.5-)
  • foreign body in penetrating wound - See open wound by body region
  • residual foreign body in soft tissue (M79.5)
  • splinter, without open wound - See superficial injury by body region
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Block T15-T19 Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice applies to 261 codes
  • code, if known, for foreign body entering into or through a natural orifice (W44.-)
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
  • The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

7th Character

Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T17
Values for category T17 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name T17, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming T17: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • R09.0 Asphyxia and hypoxemia
    asphyxia due to foreign body in respiratory tract (T17.-)
  • T71 Asphyxiation
    asphyxia from inhalation of food or foreign body (T17.-)

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming T17: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • T18.1 Foreign body in esophagus
    foreign body in respiratory tract (T17.-)
  • Z03.82 Encounter for observation for suspected foreign body ruled out
    foreign body in respiratory tract (T17)

Code Also 1

These codes say T17 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • J69.0 Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit
    any associated foreign body in respiratory tract (T17.-)

Patient EducationClinical

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About T17Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for foreign body in respiratory tract?

T17 is the ICD-10-CM category for foreign body in respiratory tract, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is T17 (Foreign body in respiratory tract) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for foreign body in respiratory tract, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for foreign body in respiratory tract need a more specific code from this category, such as T17.0XXA, T17.0XXD, and T17.0XXS.