T18
Non-Billable

Foreign body in alimentary tract

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Foreign body in alimentary tract?

ICD-10-CM T18 is the diagnosis code for Foreign body in alimentary tract. 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

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

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

  • foreign body in pharynx (T17.2-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

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

Sub-Codes 8 entries
T18.0Foreign body in mouthBillableT18.1Foreign body in esophagusNon-BillableT18.10Unspecified 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 injuryBillableT18.2Foreign body in stomachBillableT18.3Foreign body in small intestineBillableT18.4Foreign body in colonBillableT18.5Foreign body in anus and rectumBillableT18.8Foreign body in other parts of alimentary tractBillableT18.9Foreign body of alimentary tract, part unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is T18 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

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

What does T18 mean?

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

What section is T18 in?

T18 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?

T18 has 8 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: T18.0, T18.1, T18.2, T18.3, T18.4 and more.

When should I use T18?

Use T18 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Foreign body in alimentary tract" 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 alimentary tract?

The ICD-10-CM code for Foreign body in alimentary tract is T18.

Can T18 be used for primary diagnosis?

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

What chapter is T18 in?

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

Is T18 valid for 2026?

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

See Also

← PreviousT17.998Other foreign object in respiratory tract, part unspecified causing other injuryNext →T18.0Foreign body in mouth
Code Details
T18
Foreign body in alimentary tract
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