T18 — Foreign body in alimentary tract
Is T18 billable?
No — T18 is a non-billable header code. T18 groups more specific codes and cannot be submitted on a claim. A valid ICD-10-CM code must be reported at the highest level of specificity available in its branch. Select one of the 45 billable codes beneath T18.
Billable codes under this header
- T18.0XXAForeign body in mouth, initial encounter
- T18.0XXDForeign body in mouth, subsequent encounter
- T18.0XXSForeign body in mouth, sequela
- T18.2XXAForeign body in stomach, initial encounter
- T18.2XXDForeign body in stomach, subsequent encounter
- T18.2XXSForeign body in stomach, sequela
- T18.3XXAForeign body in small intestine, initial encounter
- T18.3XXDForeign body in small intestine, subsequent encounter
- T18.3XXSForeign body in small intestine, sequela
- T18.4XXAForeign body in colon, initial encounter
- T18.4XXDForeign body in colon, subsequent encounter
- T18.4XXSForeign body in colon, sequela
- T18.5XXAForeign body in anus and rectum, initial encounter
- T18.5XXDForeign body in anus and rectum, subsequent encounter
- T18.5XXSForeign body in anus and rectum, sequela
- T18.8XXAForeign body in other parts of alimentary tract, initial encounter
- T18.8XXDForeign body in other parts of alimentary tract, subsequent encounter
- T18.8XXSForeign body in other parts of alimentary tract, sequela
- T18.9XXAForeign body of alimentary tract, part unspecified, initial encounter
- T18.9XXDForeign body of alimentary tract, part unspecified, subsequent encounter
- T18.9XXSForeign body of alimentary tract, part unspecified, sequela
- T18.100AUnspecified foreign body in esophagus causing compression of trachea, initial encounter
- T18.100DUnspecified foreign body in esophagus causing compression of trachea, subsequent encounter
- T18.100SUnspecified foreign body in esophagus causing compression of trachea, sequela
- T18.108AUnspecified foreign body in esophagus causing other injury, initial encounter
- T18.108DUnspecified foreign body in esophagus causing other injury, subsequent encounter
- T18.108SUnspecified foreign body in esophagus causing other injury, sequela
- T18.110AGastric contents in esophagus causing compression of trachea, initial encounter
- T18.110DGastric contents in esophagus causing compression of trachea, subsequent encounter
- T18.110SGastric contents in esophagus causing compression of trachea, sequela
- T18.118AGastric contents in esophagus causing other injury, initial encounter
- T18.118DGastric contents in esophagus causing other injury, subsequent encounter
- T18.118SGastric contents in esophagus causing other injury, sequela
- T18.120AFood in esophagus causing compression of trachea, initial encounter
- T18.120DFood in esophagus causing compression of trachea, subsequent encounter
- T18.120SFood in esophagus causing compression of trachea, sequela
- T18.128AFood in esophagus causing other injury, initial encounter
- T18.128DFood in esophagus causing other injury, subsequent encounter
- T18.128SFood in esophagus causing other injury, sequela
- T18.190AOther foreign object in esophagus causing compression of trachea, initial encounter
- T18.190DOther foreign object in esophagus causing compression of trachea, subsequent encounter
- T18.190SOther foreign object in esophagus causing compression of trachea, sequela
- T18.198AOther foreign object in esophagus causing other injury, initial encounter
- T18.198DOther foreign object in esophagus causing other injury, subsequent encounter
- T18.198SOther foreign object in esophagus causing other injury, sequela
T18 at a glance
| Code | T18 |
|---|---|
| Description | Foreign body in alimentary tract |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
How is T18 listed in the External Cause Index?
These are the routes through the External Cause of Injuries Index that lead to T18 — how the injury happened, rather than what the injury was.
- Aspiration › food
- Choked, choking › food (on) (any object except food or vomitus)
- Foodin › air passages (any type)
- Foodin › alimentary tract causing asphyxia (any type)
- Asphyxia, asphyxiation › by › food
- Compression › trachea by › food
Excludes2 — not included here
The conditions below are not part of T18, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T18 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- foreign body in pharynx (T17.2-)
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside T18 to fully describe the condition. T18 is sequenced first.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Use additional code — inherited from T15-T19
Report an additional code alongside T18 to fully describe the condition. T18 is sequenced first.
- code, if known, for foreign body entering into or through a natural orifice (W44.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19
The conditions below are not part of T18, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T18 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from T15-T19
The conditions below are not part of T18, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T18 and the excluded code may both be reported.
What codes fall under T18? (8)
- T18.0Foreign body in mouthnot billable
- T18.1Foreign body in esophagusnot billable
- T18.2Foreign body in stomachnot billable
- T18.3Foreign body in small intestinenot billable
- T18.4Foreign body in colonnot billable
- T18.5Foreign body in anus and rectumnot billable
- T18.8Foreign body in other parts of alimentary tractnot billable
- T18.9Foreign body of alimentary tract, part unspecifiednot billable
How long has T18 existed?
T18 has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.