T70.9XXS — Effect of air pressure and water pressure, unspecified, sequela
Is T70.9XXS billable?
Yes, but T70.9XXS is an unspecified code. T70.9XXS is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, T70.9XXS is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting T70.9XXS — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
T70.9XXS at a glance
| Code | T70.9XXS |
|---|---|
| Description | Effect of air pressure and water pressure, unspecified, sequela |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "S" | sequela |
What does the 7th character "S" mean in T70.9XXS?
In T70.9XXS, the 7th character S means sequela. The 7th character is required for T70.9XXS to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does T70.9XXS group to?
T70.9XXS 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
How is T70.9XXS listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under T70.9, the nearest indexed parent of T70.9XXS. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Effect, adverse › air pressure
- Effect, adverse › atmospheric pressure
- Effect, adverse › water pressure NEC
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside T70.9XXS to fully describe the condition. T70.9XXS 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 T70.9XXS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T70.9XXS 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 T70.9XXS 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 T70.9XXS existed?
T70.9XXS 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.