T70.3XXA — Caisson disease [decompression sickness], initial encounter
Is T70.3XXA billable?
Yes — T70.3XXA is billable for FY2027. T70.3XXA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. T70.3XXA may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
T70.3XXA at a glance
| Code | T70.3XXA |
|---|---|
| Description | Caisson disease [decompression sickness], 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 T70.3XXA?
In T70.3XXA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for T70.3XXA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does T70.3XXA group to?
T70.3XXA sits in MDC 21 and helps define the logic of 2 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 922Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses with MCCmedical
- 923Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses without MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, T70.3XXA is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG. It also carries Hospital-Acquired Condition category 05.
How is T70.3XXA listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under T70.3, the nearest indexed parent of T70.3XXA. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Aerobullosis
- Aeroembolism
- Bends
- Caisson disease
- Chokes (resulting from bends)
- Compressed air disease
- Decompression sickness
- Diver's palsy, paralysis or squeeze
Inclusion terms
Alternative wording in documentation that is classified to T70.3XXA.
- Compressed-air disease
- Diver's palsy or paralysis
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside T70.3XXA to fully describe the condition. T70.3XXA is sequenced first.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19
The conditions below are not part of T70.3XXA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T70.3XXA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Code also — inherited from T66-T78
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether T70.3XXA is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- , if applicable, place of occurrence, such as:
- highway rest stop (Y92.523)
- school (private) (public) (state) as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.21-)
- service areas as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.52-)
- single-family non-institutional (private) house as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.01-)
- transport vehicle as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.81-)
How long has T70.3XXA existed?
T70.3XXA 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.