ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code
T71Asphyxiation
T71 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 3 more specific codes beneath it.
Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data
About T71
T71 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for asphyxiation. It belongs to block T66-T78 (other and unspecified effects of external causes) and chapter 19 (injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 3 subcodes must be used instead.
To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: T71.1 (due to mechanical threat to breathing), T71.2 (due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air) and T71.9 (due to unspecified cause).
Don't report T71 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: acute respiratory distress (syndrome) (J80), anoxia due to high altitude (T70.2), asphyxia NOS (R09.01), asphyxia from carbon monoxide (T58.-) and 3 more.
It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.
Specific codes under T71
- T71.1Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing
- T71.11Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow
- T71.12Asphyxiation due to plastic bag
- T71.13Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens
- T71.14Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed)
- T71.15Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture
- T71.16Asphyxiation due to hanging
- T71.19Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes
- T71.191Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, accidental
- T71.192Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, intentional self-harm
- T71.193Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, assault
- T71.194Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, undetermined
- T71.2Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air
- T71.20Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified cause
- T71.21Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth
- T71.22Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk
- T71.23Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator
- T71.231Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, accidental
- T71.232Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, intentional self-harm
- T71.233Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, assault
- T71.234Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, undetermined
- T71.29Asphyxiation due to being trapped in other low oxygen environment
- T71.9Asphyxiation due to unspecified cause
Coding notes
- Mechanical suffocation
- Traumatic suffocation
Notes that apply from higher levels
Instructions written at a parent level also apply to T71.
Broader instructions also apply from T66-T78 Other and unspecified effects of external causes and Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.
Alphabetic index entries
1 entriesTerms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to T71.
Codes whose notes reference T71
- R09.0Excludes1
Code history
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- 2027
- FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
- No changes since FY2016.
Common questions about T71
Is T71 billable?
- No. T71 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.