2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T88.4XXSFailed or difficult intubation, sequela
T88.4XXS is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for failed or difficult intubation, sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 922 through 923. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Complication, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
T88.4XXS is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Cannot intubate cannot ventilate
- Difficult intubation
- Difficult mask ventilation
- Expected difficult tracheal intubation
- Failed insertion
- Failed intubation of larynx
- Failed intubation of respiratory tract
- Failed intubation of trachea
- Tracheal intubation morbidity
- Unexpected difficult airway
- Unexpected difficult tracheal intubation
- Unintended esophageal intubation
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Other complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified (T88). 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.
Convert T88.4XXS to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T88.4XXSOverview
Is T88.4XXS (Failed or difficult intubation) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report failed or difficult intubation, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in T88.4XXS mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the failed or difficult intubation itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does T88.4XXS group to?
When failed or difficult intubation, sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 922, 923, with relative weights from 1.0177 to 1.7494 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is T88.4XXS exempt from POA reporting?
Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for failed or difficult intubation, sequela on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T88.4XXS?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, failed or difficult intubation, sequela converts to ICD-9-CM 909.3 (late eff surg/med compl). 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.
