2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T70Effects of air pressure and water pressure

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T66-T78›T70

ICD-10-CM T70
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

T70 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for effects of air pressure and water pressure, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T70.0XXA, T70.0XXD, T70.0XXS, and T70.1XXA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T70
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Effects of air pressure and water pressure
Chapter
T66-T78
Other and unspecified effects of external causes

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionT66-T78Other and unspecified effects of external causes
CategoryT70Effects of air pressure and water pressure
This CodeT70Effects of air pressure and water pressure

Specific Coding for Effects of air pressure and water pressureOverview

Non-specific codes like T70 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • T70.0 for Otitic barotrauma

  • T70.1 for Sinus barotrauma

  • T70.2 for Other and unspecified effects of high altitude

  • T70.20 for Unspecified effects of high altitude

  • T70.29 for Other effects of high altitude

  • T70.3 for Caisson disease [decompression sickness]

  • T70.4 for Effects of high-pressure fluids

  • T70.8 for Other effects of air pressure and water pressure

  • T70.9 for Effect of air pressure and water pressure, unspecified

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Effects of air pressure and water pressure (T70). 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.

7th Character Note

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T70

7th Character

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

Patient EducationClinical

Barotrauma

Barotrauma means injury to your body because of changes in barometric (air) or water pressure. One common type happens to your ear. A change in altitude may cause your ears to hurt. This can happen if you are flying in an airplane, driving in the mountains, or scuba diving.

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About T70Overview

Is T70 (Effects of air pressure and water pressure) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for effects of air pressure and water pressure, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for effects of air pressure and water pressure need a more specific code from this category, such as T70.0XXA, T70.0XXD, and T70.0XXS.