Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T18.1

Foreign body in esophagus

ICD-10-CM Code:
T18.1
ICD-10 Code for:
Foreign body in esophagus
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice
      (T15-T19)
      • Foreign body in alimentary tract
        (T18)

T18.1 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of foreign body in esophagus. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Foreign body in esophagus

Non-specific codes like T18.1 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for foreign body in esophagus:

  • T18.10 for Unspecified foreign body in esophagus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.100 for Unspecified foreign body in esophagus causing compression of trachea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.100A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.100D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.100S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.108 for Unspecified foreign body in esophagus causing other injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.108A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.108D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.108S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.11 for Gastric contents in esophagus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.110 for Gastric contents in esophagus causing compression of trachea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.110A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.110D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.110S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.118 for Gastric contents in esophagus causing other injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.118A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.118D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.118S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.12 for Food in esophagus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.120 for Food in esophagus causing compression of trachea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.120A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.120D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.120S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.128 for Food in esophagus causing other injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.128A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.128D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.128S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.19 for Other foreign object in esophagus - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.190 for Other foreign object in esophagus causing compression of trachea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.190A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.190D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.190S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T18.198 for Other foreign object in esophagus causing other injury - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.198A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.198D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T18.198S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Foreign Body in Esophagus

    extraneous material located within the esophagus.

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Foreign body in alimentary tract (T18). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • foreign body in respiratory tract T17

Patient Education


Foreign Bodies

If you've ever gotten a splinter or had sand in your eye, you've had experience with a foreign body. A foreign body is something that is stuck inside you but isn't supposed to be there. You may inhale or swallow a foreign body, or you may get one from an injury to almost any part of your body. Foreign bodies are more common in small children, who sometimes stick things in their mouths, ears, and noses.

Some foreign bodies, like a small splinter, do not cause serious harm. Inhaled or swallowed foreign bodies may cause choking or bowel obstruction and may require medical care.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.