T18.120A — Food in esophagus causing compression of trachea, initial encounter
Is T18.120A billable?
Yes — T18.120A is billable for FY2027. T18.120A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. T18.120A may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
T18.120A at a glance
| Code | T18.120A |
|---|---|
| Description | Food in esophagus causing compression of trachea, initial encounter |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "A" | initial encounter |
What does the 7th character "A" mean in T18.120A?
In T18.120A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for T18.120A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does T18.120A group to?
T18.120A sits in MDC 06 and helps define the logic of 3 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 393Other Digestive System Diagnoses with MCCmedical
- 394Other Digestive System Diagnoses with CCmedical
- 395Other Digestive System Diagnoses without CC/MCCmedical
How is T18.120A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under T18.120, the nearest indexed parent of T18.120A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Foreign body › esophagus › causing › tracheal compression › food
How is T18.120A listed in the External Cause Index?
The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under T18.120, the nearest indexed parent of T18.120A. This is a separate index from the Alphabetic Index and is where external cause codes are looked up.
- Interruption of respiration › food (by)
Inclusion terms
Alternative wording in documentation that is classified to T18.120A.
- Food in esophagus causing obstruction of respiration
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside T18.120A to fully describe the condition. T18.120A 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 T18.120A to fully describe the condition. T18.120A 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 T18.120A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T18.120A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from T15-T19
The conditions below are not part of T18.120A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T18.120A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from T18
The conditions below are not part of T18.120A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T18.120A and the excluded code may both be reported.
- foreign body in pharynx (T17.2-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from T18.1
The conditions below are not part of T18.120A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T18.120A and the excluded code may both be reported.
- foreign body in respiratory tract (T17.-)
How long has T18.120A existed?
T18.120A 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.