Is T17.21 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. T17.21 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does T17.21 sit in the tabular list?

Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), in the block Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice (T15-T19).

T17.21

T17.21 — Gastric contents in pharynx

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

T17.21 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for gastric contents in pharynx. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below. This code also requires a 7th character before it is complete.

This code requires a 7th character

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T17

A: initial encounter
D: subsequent encounter
S: sequela

Inclusion terms

Alternative wordings a physician may use in the chart for this same code.

Aspiration of gastric contents into pharynx
Vomitus in pharynx

Risk adjustment

T17.21 does not map to an HCC and does not risk-adjust under CMS-HCC V28. That is normal — most ICD-10 codes do not. It still needs to be coded correctly; it just will not move a RAF score.

Code to one of these instead T17.21

2 child codes. Green means billable.

Related codes at this level

Codes that share T17.2. If T17.21 is not quite right, the correct code is usually one of these.

Questions about T17.21

Is T17.21 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. T17.21 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does T17.21 sit in the tabular list?: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), in the block Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice (T15-T19).