T18.1
Non-Billable

Foreign body in esophagus

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Foreign body in esophagus?

ICD-10-CM T18.1 is the diagnosis code for Foreign body in esophagus. This code falls under the section "Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice" within Chapter 19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

â„šī¸ Excludes2

Coding Guidelines for T18.1

â„šī¸ Type 2 Excludes (Code separately if applicable)

The following conditions are not included in T18.1. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • foreign body in respiratory tract (T17.-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where T18.1 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 4 entries
T18.10Unspecified foreign body in esophagusNon-BillableT18.100Unspecified foreign body in esophagus causing compression of tracheaBillableT18.108Unspecified foreign body in esophagus causing other injuryBillableT18.11Gastric contents in esophagusNon-BillableT18.110Gastric contents in esophagus causing compression of tracheaBillableT18.118Gastric contents in esophagus causing other injuryBillableT18.12Food in esophagusNon-BillableT18.120Food in esophagus causing compression of tracheaBillableT18.128Food in esophagus causing other injuryBillableT18.19Other foreign object in esophagusNon-BillableT18.190Other foreign object in esophagus causing compression of tracheaBillableT18.198Other foreign object in esophagus causing other injuryBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is T18.1 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, T18.1 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does T18.1 mean?

T18.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Foreign body in esophagus". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of T18.1?

The parent code of T18.1 is T18 ("Foreign body in alimentary tract"). T18.1 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is T18.1 in?

T18.1 is located in Section T15-T19 — "Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice" within Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of T18.1?

T18.1 has 4 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: T18.10, T18.11, T18.12, T18.19.

When should I use T18.1?

Use T18.1 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Foreign body in esophagus" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Foreign body in esophagus?

The ICD-10-CM code for Foreign body in esophagus is T18.1.

Can T18.1 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, T18.1 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is T18.1 in?

T18.1 is in Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is T18.1 valid for 2026?

Yes, T18.1 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousT18.0Foreign body in mouthNext →T18.10Unspecified foreign body in esophagus
Code Details
T18.1
Foreign body in esophagus
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
T15-T19 — Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice
2026 ICD-10-CM