2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T17.300AUnspecified foreign body in larynx causing asphyxiation, initial encounter
T17.300A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified foreign body in larynx causing asphyxiation, initial encounter. The 7th character A marks it as an initial encounter code, used while the patient is receiving active treatment. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. Coders also document this condition as asphyxia due to foreign body in larynx. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Effect of foreign body entering opening, initial encounter; External cause codes: intent of injury, accidental/unintentional; and External cause codes: suffocation/inhalation; initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Asphyxia due to foreign body in larynx
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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Choking
Food or small objects can cause choking if they get caught in your throat and block your airway. This keeps oxygen from getting to your lungs and brain. If your brain goes without oxygen for more than four minutes, you could have brain damage or die.
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Convert T17.300A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T17.300AOverview
Is T17.300A (Unspecified foreign body in larynx causing asphyxiation) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified foreign body in larynx causing asphyxiation, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in T17.300A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for unspecified foreign body in larynx causing asphyxiation, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does T17.300A group to?
When unspecified foreign body in larynx causing asphyxiation, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 1.5635 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T17.300A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified foreign body in larynx causing asphyxiation, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 933.1 (foreign body in larynx) and E912 (resp obstr-inhal obj NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
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.
