T71.15 — Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture
Is T71.15 billable?
No — T71.15 is a non-billable header code. T71.15 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 12 billable codes beneath T71.15.
Billable codes under this header
- T71.151AAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, accidental, initial encounter
- T71.151DAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, accidental, subsequent encounter
- T71.151SAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, accidental, sequela
- T71.152AAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, intentional self-harm, initial encounter
- T71.152DAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, intentional self-harm, subsequent encounter
- T71.152SAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, intentional self-harm, sequela
- T71.153AAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, assault, initial encounter
- T71.153DAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, assault, subsequent encounter
- T71.153SAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, assault, sequela
- T71.154AAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, undetermined, initial encounter
- T71.154DAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, undetermined, subsequent encounter
- T71.154SAsphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, undetermined, sequela
T71.15 at a glance
| Code | T71.15 |
|---|---|
| Description | Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
How is T71.15 listed in the External Cause Index?
The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under T71, the nearest indexed parent of T71.15. This is a separate index from the Alphabetic Index and is where external cause codes are looked up.
- Suffocation (accidental) (by external means) (by pressure) (mechanical)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from T71
The conditions below can never be reported together with T71.15 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside T71.15 to fully describe the condition. T71.15 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 T71.15, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T71.15 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 T71.15 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-)
What codes fall under T71.15? (4)
- T71.151Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, accidentalnot billable
- T71.152Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, intentional self-harmnot billable
- T71.153Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, assaultnot billable
- T71.154Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, undeterminednot billable
How long has T71.15 existed?
T71.15 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.
What other codes are in the T71.1 family? (6)
- T71.11Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillownot billable
- T71.12Asphyxiation due to plastic bagnot billable
- T71.13Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linensnot billable
- T71.14Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed)not billable
- T71.16Asphyxiation due to hangingnot billable
- T71.19Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causesnot billable