T71.9XXA
T71.9XXA: Asphyxiation due to unspecified cause, initial encounter
Billable / specific codeICD-10-CM
T71.9XXA is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code for asphyxiation due to unspecified cause, initial encounter. It is valid for submission on a claim.
Check T71.9XXA with the rest of the claim: free scrubber7th character "A": initial encounter
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 (by strangulation) due to unspecified cause
- Suffocation NOS
- Systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified cause
- Systemic oxygen deficiency due to mechanical threat to breathing due to unspecified cause
- Traumatic asphyxia NOS
Excludes1 inherited from the categories above T71.9XXA
A category’s note binds every code beneath it.
Written on T71: Asphyxiation
Other codes that can never be billed with T71.9XXA
Their own Excludes1 notes name this code, so the conflict is not listed above.
- R09.0Asphyxia and hypoxemia
Risk adjustment
No CMS-HCC V28 category: this code does not change a RAF score.
Medicare coverage
T71.9XXA is named in 2 Medicare coverage policies: 2 listing it as supporting medical necessity. Which one applies depends on your Medicare contractor.
- A56612Billing and Coding: CT of the Head
- A57205Billing and Coding: Oximetry Services
Code history
Unchanged in every release from FY2024 to FY2027.