T71.1
T71.1 — Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing
Non-billable headerICD-10-CM
T71.1 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing. 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 T71
- A
- initial encounter
- D
- subsequent encounter
- S
- sequela
Inclusion terms
Alternative wordings a physician may use in the chart for this same code.
- Suffocation due to mechanical threat to breathing
Risk adjustment
T71.1 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 T71.1
7 child codes. Green means billable.
- T71.11Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow
- T71.12Asphyxiation due to plastic bag
- T71.13Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens
- T71.14Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed)
- T71.15Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture
- T71.16Asphyxiation due to hanging
- T71.19Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes
Related codes at this level
Codes that share T71. If T71.1 is not quite right, the correct code is usually one of these.
Questions about T71.1
- Is T71.1 a billable ICD-10-CM code?
- No. T71.1 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
- Where does T71.1 sit in the tabular list?
- Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), in the block Other and unspecified effects of external causes (T66-T78).