T71
Non-Billable

Asphyxiation

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Asphyxiation?

ICD-10-CM T71 is the diagnosis code for Asphyxiation. 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 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.

💡 Inclusions
⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for T71

✅ This Code Includes

  • Mechanical suffocation
  • Traumatic suffocation

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as T71. They are mutually exclusive:

  • acute respiratory distress (syndrome) (J80)
  • anoxia due to high altitude (T70.2)
  • asphyxia NOS (R09.01)
  • asphyxia from carbon monoxide (T58.-)
  • asphyxia from inhalation of food or foreign body (T17.-)
  • asphyxia from other gases, fumes and vapors (T59.-)
  • respiratory distress (syndrome) in newborn (P22.-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where T71 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 3 entries
T71.1Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathingNon-BillableT71.11Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillowNon-BillableT71.111Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, accidentalBillableT71.112Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, intentional self-harmBillableT71.113Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, assaultBillableT71.114Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, undeterminedBillableT71.12Asphyxiation due to plastic bagNon-BillableT71.121Asphyxiation due to plastic bag, accidentalBillableT71.122Asphyxiation due to plastic bag, intentional self-harmBillableT71.123Asphyxiation due to plastic bag, assaultBillableT71.124Asphyxiation due to plastic bag, undeterminedBillableT71.13Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linensNon-BillableT71.131Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens, accidentalBillableT71.132Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens, intentional self-harmBillableT71.133Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens, assaultBillableT71.134Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens, undeterminedBillableT71.14Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed)Non-BillableT71.141Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed), accidentalBillableT71.143Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed), assaultBillableT71.144Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed), undeterminedBillableT71.15Asphyxiation due to smothering in furnitureNon-BillableT71.151Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, accidentalBillableT71.152Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, intentional self-harmBillableT71.153Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, assaultBillableT71.154Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, undeterminedBillableT71.16Asphyxiation due to hangingNon-BillableT71.161Asphyxiation due to hanging, accidentalBillableT71.162Asphyxiation due to hanging, intentional self-harmBillableT71.163Asphyxiation due to hanging, assaultBillableT71.164Asphyxiation due to hanging, undeterminedBillableT71.19Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causesNon-BillableT71.191Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, accidentalBillableT71.192Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, intentional self-harmBillableT71.193Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, assaultBillableT71.194Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, undeterminedBillableT71.2Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient airNon-BillableT71.20Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified causeBillableT71.21Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earthBillableT71.22Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunkNon-BillableT71.221Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, accidentalBillableT71.222Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, intentional self-harmBillableT71.223Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, assaultBillableT71.224Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, undeterminedBillableT71.23Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigeratorNon-BillableT71.231Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, accidentalBillableT71.232Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, intentional self-harmBillableT71.233Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, assaultBillableT71.234Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, undeterminedBillableT71.29Asphyxiation due to being trapped in other low oxygen environmentBillableT71.9Asphyxiation due to unspecified causeBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is T71 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, T71 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does T71 mean?

T71 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Asphyxiation". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is T71 in?

T71 is located in Section T66-T78 — "Other and unspecified effects of external causes" within Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of T71?

T71 has 3 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: T71.1, T71.2, T71.9.

When should I use T71?

Use T71 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Asphyxiation" 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 Asphyxiation?

The ICD-10-CM code for Asphyxiation is T71.

Can T71 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, T71 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is T71 in?

T71 is in Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from T71?

Type 1 Excludes for T71 include: acute respiratory distress (syndrome) (J80); anoxia due to high altitude (T70.2); asphyxia NOS (R09.01) and more.

Is T71 valid for 2026?

Yes, T71 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousT70.9Effect of air pressure and water pressure, unspecifiedNext →T71.1Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing
Code Details
T71
Asphyxiation
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
T66-T78 — Other and unspecified effects of external causes
2026 ICD-10-CM