2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T27Burn and corrosion of respiratory tract
T27 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for burn and corrosion of respiratory tract, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T27.0XXA, T27.0XXD, T27.0XXS, and T27.1XXA.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Burn and corrosion of respiratory tractOverview
Non-specific codes like T27 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
T27.0 for Burn of larynx and trachea
T27.1 for Burn involving larynx and trachea with lung
T27.2 for Burn of other parts of respiratory tract
T27.3 for Burn of respiratory tract, part unspecified
T27.4 for Corrosion of larynx and trachea
T27.5 for Corrosion involving larynx and trachea with lung
T27.6 for Corrosion of other parts of respiratory tract
T27.7 for Corrosion of respiratory tract, part unspecified
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The ICD-10-CM makes a distinction between burns and corrosions. The burn codes are for thermal burns, except sunburns, that come from a heat source, such as a fire or hot appliance. The burn codes are also for burns resulting from electricity and radiation. Corrosions are burns due to chemicals. The guidelines are the same for burns and corrosions.
Sequence first the code that reflects the highest degree of burn when more than one burn is present.
- When the reason for the admission or encounter is for treatment of external multiple burns, sequence first the code that reflects the burn of the highest degree.
- When a patient has both internal and external burns, the circumstances of admission govern the selection of the principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
- When a patient is admitted for burn injuries and other related conditions such as smoke inhalation and/or respiratory failure, the circumstances of admission govern the selection of the principal or first-listed diagnosis.
Burns of the eye and internal organs (T26-T28) are classified by site, but not by degree.
Classify burns of the same local site (three-character category level, T20-T28) but of different degrees to the subcategory identifying the highest degree recorded in the diagnosis.
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Burn and corrosion of respiratory tract (T27). 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.
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Use Additional Code
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T27
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
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.
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
Patient EducationClinical
Burns
A burn is damage to your body's tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or radiation. Scalds from hot liquids and steam, building fires and flammable liquids and gases are the most common causes of burns. Another kind is an inhalation injury, caused by breathing smoke.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T27Overview
Is T27 (Burn and corrosion of respiratory tract) a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for burn and corrosion of respiratory tract, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for burn and corrosion of respiratory tract need a more specific code from this category, such as T27.0XXA, T27.0XXD, and T27.0XXS.
