2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T70.1XXASinus barotrauma, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T66-T78›T70

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

T70.1XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sinus barotrauma, 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 152 through 153. Coders also document this condition as barotrauma of descent. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Effect of other external causes, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T70.1XXA
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Sinus barotrauma, initial encounter
Short Description
Sinus barotrauma, initial encounter
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
T70.1
Sinus barotrauma

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 CodeT70.1XXASinus barotrauma, initial encounter

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Barotrauma of descent
  • Descent barotrauma of sinuses
  • Effect of high altitude on sinuses
  • Effects of high altitude
  • Sinus barotrauma

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.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR INJ021
Effect of other external causes, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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.

Convert T70.1XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
993.1 Barotrauma, sinus
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 T70.1XXAOverview

Is T70.1XXA (Sinus barotrauma) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report sinus barotrauma, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What does the 7th character A in T70.1XXA mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for sinus barotrauma, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does T70.1XXA group to?

When sinus barotrauma, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 152, 153, with relative weights from 0.7382 to 1.1822 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T70.1XXA?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sinus barotrauma, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 993.1 (barotrauma, sinus). 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.