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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther and unspecified effects of external causesICD-10-CM t71-asphyxiation-and-related-conditions
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Asphyxiation: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group T71 includes diagnoses for asphyxiation due to oxygen deprivation, mechanical airway obstruction, and other unspecified causes that impair respiration and oxygenation. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios ranging from mild airway compromise to severe hypoxic injury, capturing severity, organ involvement, and complications related to inadequate oxygen delivery. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM T71 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM T71: Asphyxiation Overview

    The ICD-10-CM T71 group covers asphyxiation and related conditions caused by deprivation of oxygen or interference with breathing. These diagnoses affect respiratory and cardiovascular function and may result from external causes such as choking, smothering, or environmental oxygen deficiency. Accurate coding is important for reimbursement because it reflects severity, guides claim adjudication, and supports complete clinical documentation.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a clinical record documents asphyxiation, suffocation, smothering, or documented oxygen deprivation as the primary injury or condition. Select the specific code that reflects the mechanism, severity, and any associated complications noted in the clinical documentation.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    117 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    T71.111AAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, accidental, initial encounter
    T71.111DAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, accidental, subsequent encounter
    T71.111SAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, accidental, sequela
    T71.112AAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, intentional self-harm, initial encounter
    T71.112DAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, intentional self-harm, subsequent encounter
    T71.112SAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, intentional self-harm, sequela
    T71.113AAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, assault, initial encounter
    T71.113DAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, assault, subsequent encounter
    T71.113SAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, assault, sequela
    T71.114AAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, undetermined, initial encounter
    T71.114DAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, undetermined, subsequent encounter
    T71.114SAsphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, undetermined, sequela
    T71.121AAsphyxiation due to plastic bag, accidental, initial encounter
    T71.121DAsphyxiation due to plastic bag, accidental, subsequent encounter
    T71.121SAsphyxiation due to plastic bag, accidental, sequela
    T71.122AAsphyxiation due to plastic bag, intentional self-harm, initial encounter
    T71.122DAsphyxiation due to plastic bag, intentional self-harm, subsequent encounter
    T71.122SAsphyxiation due to plastic bag, intentional self-harm, sequela
    T71.123AAsphyxiation due to plastic bag, assault, initial encounter
    T71.123DAsphyxiation due to plastic bag, assault, subsequent encounter

    Showing 1–20 of 117

    DRG Codes

    4 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    922Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses with MCC
    923Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses without MCC
    949Aftercare with CC/MCC
    950Aftercare without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An adult is brought to the emergency department after being found unresponsive at home with signs of prolonged oxygen deprivation (cyanosis, altered mental status) following a near-hanging event. The patient requires immediate airway management and oxygenation, and clinicians document the degree of anoxic brain injury and resuscitation status; a code from this group is assigned to capture the asphyxiation event and its initial encounter. Typical codes: T71.111A, T71.112A
    • An infant presents to the pediatric ward after a nonfatal choking episode during feeding that caused temporary cessation of breathing but resolved before discharge; the child is monitored for respiratory compromise and neurological sequelae. Because the event involved acute airway obstruction and hypoxia from external cause, an asphyxiation code is used to record the incident as part of the hospitalization and follow-up plan. Typical codes: T71.121A, T71.122A
    • An elderly nursing-home resident with advanced dementia is admitted for worsening cognitive function and new hypoxic brain injury attributed to a prior unwitnessed airway obstruction; the focus is on complications and ongoing care needs rather than acute resuscitation. A diagnosis from this group is assigned to indicate sequelae or subsequent care related to the earlier asphyxial event. Typical codes: T71.111D, T71.121D

    Related Codes

    T66-RADIATION-SICKNESS-UNSPECIFIED

    ICD-10-CM Code For Radiation Sickness Unspecified: Group Overview

    T67-EFFECTS-OF-HEAT-AND-LIGHT

    ICD-10-CM Code For Effects Of Heat And Light: Group Overview

    T68-HYPOTHERMIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Hypothermia: Group Overview

    T69-OTHER-EFFECTS-OF-REDUCED-TEMPERATURE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Effects Of Reduced Temperature: Group Overview

    T70-EFFECTS-OF-AIR-PRESSURE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Effects Of Air Pressure And Water Pressure: Group Overview

    T74-ADULT-AND-CHILD-ABUSE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Adult And Child Abuse Neglect And Other Maltreatment Confirmed: Group Overview

    T75-OTHER-AND-UNSPECIFIED-EFFECTS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other And Unspecified Effects Of Other External Causes: Group Overview

    T76-ADULT-AND-CHILD-ABUSE-NEGLECT

    ICD-10-CM Code For Adult And Child Abuse Neglect And Other Maltreatment Suspected: Group Overview

    T78-ADVERSE-EFFECTS-NOT-ELSEWHERE-CLASSIFIED

    ICD-10-CM Code For Adverse Effects Not Elsewhere Classified: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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