2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T71Asphyxiation

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T66-T78›T71

ICD-10-CM T71
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T71 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for asphyxiation, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T71.111A, T71.111D, T71.111S, and T71.112A.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T71
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Asphyxiation
Short Description
Asphyxiation
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
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
CategoryT71Asphyxiation
This CodeT71Asphyxiation

Specific Coding for AsphyxiationOverview

Non-specific codes like T71 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • T71.1 for Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing

  • T71.11 for Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow

  • T71.12 for Asphyxiation due to plastic bag

  • T71.13 for Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens

  • T71.14 for Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed)

  • T71.15 for Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture

  • T71.16 for Asphyxiation due to hanging

  • T71.19 for Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes

  • T71.2 for Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air

  • T71.20 for Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified cause

  • T71.21 for Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth

  • T71.22 for Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk

  • T71.23 for Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator

  • T71.29 for Asphyxiation due to being trapped in other low oxygen environment

  • T71.9 for Asphyxiation due to unspecified cause

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Asphyxiation (T71). 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 T71: its own notes plus those printed at block T66-T78 and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Applicable To

Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.

  • Mechanical suffocation
  • Traumatic suffocation

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • acute respiratory distress (syndrome) (J80)
  • anoxia due to high altitude (T70.2)
  • asphyxia NOS (R09.01)
  • asphyxia from carbon monoxide (T58.-)
  • asphyxia from inhalation of food or foreign body (T17.-)
  • asphyxia from other gases, fumes and vapors (T59.-)
  • respiratory distress (syndrome) in newborn (P22.-)

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 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 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.-)

Code Also

A second code may be needed to fully describe the condition; the note gives no sequencing direction.

From Block T66-T78 Other and unspecified effects of external causes applies to 456 codes
  • if applicable, place of occurrence, such as:
  • highway rest stop (Y92.523)
  • school (private) (public) (state) as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.21-)
  • service areas as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.52-)
  • single-family non-institutional (private) house as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.01-)
  • transport vehicle as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.81-)

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.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T71
Values for category T71 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • 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 T71, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming T71: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • R09.0 Asphyxia and hypoxemia
    traumatic asphyxia (T71.-)

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index; each main term links to its index entry.

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Suffocation

    the stopping of respiration or the asphyxia that results from it.

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 T71Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for asphyxiation?

T71 is the ICD-10-CM category for asphyxiation, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is T71 (Asphyxiation) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for asphyxiation, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for asphyxiation need a more specific code from this category, such as T71.111A, T71.111D, and T71.111S.

Can T71 be reported with J80?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on T71 lists "acute respiratory distress (syndrome) (J80)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).