2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T17.490AOther foreign object in trachea causing asphyxiation, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T15-T19›T17

ICD-10-CM T17.490A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T17.490A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other foreign object in trachea 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 205 through 206. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 8 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as mucus plug in respiratory tract. 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

ICD-10-CM Code
T17.490A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Other foreign object in trachea causing asphyxiation, initial encounter
Short Description
Oth foreign object in trachea causing asphyxiation, init
Parent Code
T17.490
Other foreign object in trachea causing asphyxiation

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 CodeT17.490AOther foreign object in trachea causing asphyxiation, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Mucus plug in respiratory tract
  • Multiple tracheobronchial mucus plugs

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 T17.490A: its own notes plus those printed at T17, 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.

From T17 Foreign body in respiratory tract applies to 150 codes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T17
Values for category T17 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter this code
  • 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 T17.490A, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming T17.490A: 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.-) names T17.-, which includes this code
  • T71 Asphyxiation
    asphyxia from inhalation of food or foreign body (T17.-) names T17.-, which includes this code

Excludes2 4

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming T17.490A: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block S10-S19 Injuries to the neck
    effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4) names T17.4, which includes this code
  • Block S20-S29 Injuries to the thorax
    effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4) names T17.4, which includes this code
  • T18.1 Foreign body in esophagus
    foreign body in respiratory tract (T17.-) names T17.-, which includes this code
  • Z03.82 Encounter for observation for suspected foreign body ruled out
    foreign body in respiratory tract (T17) names T17, which includes this code

Code Also 1

These codes say T17.490A 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.-) names T17.-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INJ020
Effect of foreign body entering opening, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes
CCSR EXT020
External cause codes: intent of injury, accidental/unintentional
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR EXT017
External cause codes: suffocation/inhalation; initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert T17.490A to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
934.0 Foreign body in trachea
ApproximateCombination The match is approximate, and more than one code can be needed to describe the source diagnosis. Confirm with contextual judgment.
ICD-9-CM
E912 Resp obstr-inhal obj NEC
ApproximateCombination The match is approximate, and more than one code can be needed to describe the source diagnosis. Confirm with contextual judgment.

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 T17.490AOverview

Is T17.490A (Other foreign object in trachea causing asphyxiation) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report other foreign object in trachea causing asphyxiation, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What does the 7th character A in T17.490A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for other foreign object in trachea causing asphyxiation, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does T17.490A group to?

When other foreign object in trachea causing asphyxiation, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 206, 205, with relative weights from 0.9255 to 1.8244 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is T17.490A a CC or MCC?

CMS lists T17.490A as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2027. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 8 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T17.490A?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, other foreign object in trachea causing asphyxiation, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 934.0 (foreign body in trachea) and E912 (resp obstr-inhal obj NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.