Billable / Specific Code
ICD-10-CM T71.231 is the diagnosis code for Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, accidental. This code falls under the section "Other and unspecified effects of external causes" within Chapter 19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88). It is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.
Always refer to the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List for complete coding guidelines. Ensure documentation supports the specificity of the code selected. When in doubt, consult a certified medical coder or the latest CMS guidelines.
Understanding where T71.231 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
Yes, T71.231 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
T71.231 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, accidental". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
The parent code of T71.231 is T71.23 ("Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator"). T71.231 provides a more specific classification within this category.
T71.231 is located in Section T66-T78 — "Other and unspecified effects of external causes" within Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
T71.231 has 1918 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: A00, A01, A02, A03, A04 and more.
Use T71.231 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, accidental" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.
The ICD-10-CM code for Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, accidental is T71.231.
Yes, T71.231 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.
T71.231 is in Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Yes, T71.231 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.