Skip to content
Dx

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

T71.221AAsphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, accidental, initial encounter

✓ Billable / specificRequires 7th characterCC — complication/comorbidity

T71.221A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, accidental, initial encounter. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.Short description: Asphyx due to being trapped in a car trunk, accidental, init

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 T71.221A

T71.221A is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, accidental, initial encounter. It belongs to category T71 (asphyxiation), block T66-T78 (other and unspecified effects of external causes) and chapter 19 (injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

The 7th character "A" means initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.

As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the "with CC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 922 (Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses with MCC, relative weight 1.6238) and DRG 923 (Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses without MCC, relative weight 0.9973), in MDC 21 (Injuries, Poisonings and Toxic Effects of Drugs), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 994.7 (asphyxiation and strangulation) and E913.2 (accidental mechanical suffocation due to lack of air (in closed place)).

7th character

Ainitial encounter

CC/MCC status for this injury by encounter: CC for A; Neither CC nor MCC for D, S.

Other encounter types for T71.221:

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to T71.221A.

› From T71 Asphyxiation
Excludes1
  • 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.-)

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.

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 994.7Asphyxiation and strangulationapproximate, combination
  • E913.2Accidental mechanical suffocation due to lack of air (in closed place)approximate, combination

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about T71.221A

Is T71.221A billable?

Yes. T71.221A is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

What does the "A" at the end of T71.221A mean?

It is the 7th character for initial encounter. Per the official guidelines, use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.

Can T71.221A be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict T71.221A as a principal diagnosis.

Is T71.221A a CC or MCC?

T71.221A is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.

What DRG does T71.221A group to?

T71.221A is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 922 (Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses with MCC) and MS-DRG 923 (Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses without MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for T71.221A?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map T71.221A to ICD-9-CM 994.7 and E913.2.