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