1. Home
  2. ICD-10-CM Codes
  3. S00–T88
  4. T66-T78
  5. T70
  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code T70
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T70

Effects of air pressure and water pressure

ICD-10-CM Code:
T70
ICD-10 Code for:
Effects of air pressure and water pressure
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Other and unspecified effects of external causes
      (T66-T78)
      • Effects of air pressure and water pressure
        (T70)

T70 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of effects of air pressure and water pressure. 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 Effects of air pressure and water pressure

Non-specific codes like T70 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 effects of air pressure and water pressure:

  • T70.0 for Otitic barotrauma - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T70.1 for Sinus barotrauma - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T70.2 for Other and unspecified effects of high altitude - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T70.20 for Unspecified effects of high altitude - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T70.29 for Other effects of high altitude - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T70.3 for Caisson disease [decompression sickness] - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T70.4 for Effects of high-pressure fluids - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T70.8 for Other effects of air pressure and water pressure - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T70.9 for Effect of air pressure and water pressure, unspecified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

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 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.


7th Character Note

7th Character Note
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T70

7th Character

7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Patient Education


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. Divers can also get decompression sickness, which affects the whole body.

Common symptoms of ear barotrauma include:

  • Pain
  • A feeling that your ears are stuffed
  • Hearing loss
  • Dizziness

Treatments for ear barotrauma include chewing gum and yawning to relieve the pressure. Medications such as decongestants may also help.


[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.