T71.20XA — Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified cause, initial encounter
Is T71.20XA billable?
Yes, but T71.20XA is an unspecified code. T71.20XA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, T71.20XA 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 T71.20XA — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
- T71.21XAAsphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth, initial encounter
- T71.221AAsphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, accidental, initial encounter
- T71.231AAsphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, accidental, initial encounter
- T71.29XAAsphyxiation due to being trapped in other low oxygen environment, initial encounter
T71.20XA at a glance
| Code | T71.20XA |
|---|---|
| Description | Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified cause, 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 T71.20XA?
In T71.20XA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for T71.20XA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does T71.20XA group to?
T71.20XA 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, T71.20XA 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 T71.20XA listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under T71.20, the nearest indexed parent of T71.20XA. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Asphyxia, asphyxiation › traumatic › due to › low oxygen content of ambient air (by)
How is T71.20XA listed in the External Cause Index?
The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under T71, the nearest indexed parent of T71.20XA. 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 T71.20XA 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 T71.20XA to fully describe the condition. T71.20XA 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 T71.20XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T71.20XA 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 T71.20XA 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 T71.20XA existed?
T71.20XA 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.