DxCodebookFY2027 · Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Category · FY2027

T71 Asphyxiation

  • Header · not billable
  • Codes take a 7th character

T71 is not billable. The category heads 117 billable codes in FY2027, grouped under 3 subdivisions. Its codes take a 7th character, so none is complete with fewer than 7 characters.

Index → code

  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumatic → T71.9
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient air → T71.20
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental) → T71.191

Where it sits

  1. Chapter 19 Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  2. T66-T78 Other and unspecified effects of external causes (T66-T78)
  3. T71 Asphyxiation
Billable codes
117
Subdivisions
3
CC / MCC codes
39 / 0
HCC V28 codes
8
New FY2027
0
Index entries
39

Codes in T71

  1. T71.1
    Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing
    Header
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Suffocation due to mechanical threat to breathing
  2. T71.11
    Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow
    Header
  3. T71.111
    Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, accidental +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow NOS
  4. T71.112
    Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, intentional self-harm +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC A155 (some 7th characters)Exempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  5. T71.113
    Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, assault +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  6. T71.114
    Asphyxiation due to smothering under pillow, undetermined +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  7. T71.12
    Asphyxiation due to plastic bag
    Header
  8. T71.121
    Asphyxiation due to plastic bag, accidental +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Asphyxiation due to plastic bag NOS
  9. T71.122
    Asphyxiation due to plastic bag, intentional self-harm +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC A155 (some 7th characters)Exempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  10. T71.123
    Asphyxiation due to plastic bag, assault +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  11. T71.124
    Asphyxiation due to plastic bag, undetermined +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  12. T71.13
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens
    Header
  13. T71.131
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens, accidental +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens NOS
  14. T71.132
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens, intentional self-harm +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC A155 (some 7th characters)Exempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  15. T71.133
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens, assault +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  16. T71.134
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in bed linens, undetermined +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  17. T71.14
    Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed)
    Header
  18. T71.141
    Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed), accidental +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed) NOS
  19. T71.143
    Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed), assault +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  20. T71.144
    Asphyxiation due to smothering under another person's body (in bed), undetermined +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  21. T71.15
    Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture
    Header
  22. T71.151
    Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, accidental +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture NOS
  23. T71.152
    Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, intentional self-harm +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC A155 (some 7th characters)Exempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  24. T71.153
    Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, assault +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  25. T71.154
    Asphyxiation due to smothering in furniture, undetermined +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  26. T71.16
    Asphyxiation due to hanging
    Header
    Inclusion terms 1, Use additional code 4

    Inclusion terms

    • Hanging by window shade cord

    Use additional code

    • code for any associated injuries, such as:
    • crushing injury of neck (S17.-) S17
    • fracture of cervical vertebrae (S12.0-S12.2-) S12.0 S12.2
    • open wound of neck (S11.-) S11
  27. T71.161
    Asphyxiation due to hanging, accidental +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
    Inclusion terms 2

    Inclusion terms

    • Asphyxiation due to hanging NOS
    • Hanging NOS
  28. T71.162
    Asphyxiation due to hanging, intentional self-harm +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC A155 (some 7th characters)Exempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  29. T71.163
    Asphyxiation due to hanging, assault +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  30. T71.164
    Asphyxiation due to hanging, undetermined +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  31. T71.19
    Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes
    Header
  32. T71.191
    Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, accidental +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Asphyxiation due to other causes NOS
  33. T71.192
    Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, intentional self-harm +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC A155 (some 7th characters)Exempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  34. T71.193
    Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, assault +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  35. T71.194
    Asphyxiation due to mechanical threat to breathing due to other causes, undetermined +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  36. T71.2
    Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air
    Header
    Inclusion terms 1

    Inclusion terms

    • Suffocation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air
  37. T71.20
    Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified cause +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  38. T71.21
    Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
    Use additional code 1

    Use additional code

    • code for any associated cataclysm (X34-X38) X34 X38
  39. T71.22
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk
    Header
  40. T71.221
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, accidental +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  41. T71.222
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, intentional self-harm +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC A155 (some 7th characters)Exempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  42. T71.223
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, assault +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  43. T71.224
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, undetermined +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  44. T71.23
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator
    Header
  45. T71.231
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, accidental +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  46. T71.232
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, intentional self-harm +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC A155 (some 7th characters)Exempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  47. T71.233
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, assault +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  48. T71.234
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, undetermined +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  49. T71.29
    Asphyxiation due to being trapped in other low oxygen environment +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
  50. T71.9
    Asphyxiation due to unspecified cause +7th: A D S
    Needs 7th characterCC AExempt: 2 of 3 7th characters
    Inclusion terms 5

    Inclusion terms

    • Suffocation (by strangulation) due to unspecified cause
    • Suffocation NOS
    • Systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified cause
    • Systemic oxygen deficiency due to mechanical threat to breathing due to unspecified cause
    • Traumatic asphyxia NOS

CC/MCC: as a secondary diagnosis, unless the principal diagnosis is on the code’s PDX exclusion list (MS-DRG v44 Appendix C; list on the code card).

Sources of each column. Rows marked +7th need a 7th character: pick one to build the full code; its code card has its own flags.

Instructions

At T71

Inclusion terms

  • Mechanical suffocation
  • Traumatic suffocation

Excludes1

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

Notes that also apply

Block T66-T78 instructions (Code also 6): printed on the block page.

Chapter 19 instructions (Notes 2, Excludes2 2, Use additional code 1): printed on the chapter 19 page.

7th characters

7th characters for T71 defined here

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T71

7th characters for T71
7thMeaning (NCHS)
Ainitial encounter
Dsubsequent encounter
Ssequela

A code that takes a 7th character is invalid without it; the placeholder X fills a code shorter than 6 characters (Official Guidelines I.A.5). How 7th characters work.

Index entries

  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumatic → T71.9
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental) → T71.191
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient air → T71.20
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)plastic bag → T71.121
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)trapped in bed clothes → T71.131
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)hanging → T71.161
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)circumstances undetermined → T71.194
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)plastic bagcircumstances undetermined → T71.124
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)trapped in bed clothescircumstances undetermined → T71.134
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringin furniture → T71.151
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)hangingcircumstances undetermined → T71.164
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)done with intent to harm byself → T71.192
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)done with intent to harm byanother person → T71.193
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient airdue tocave-in → T71.21
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringunderpillow → T71.111
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)plastic bagdone with intent to harm byself → T71.122
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)plastic bagdone with intent to harm byanother person → T71.123
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)trapped in bed clothesdone with intent to harm byself → T71.132
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)trapped in bed clothesdone with intent to harm byanother person → T71.133
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringunderanother person's body → T71.141
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringin furniturecircumstances undetermined → T71.154
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)hangingdone with intent to harm byself → T71.162
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)hangingdone with intent to harm byanother person → T71.163
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient airdue tobeing trapped inlow oxygen environment → T71.29
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringunderpillowcircumstances undetermined → T71.114
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringunderanother person's bodydone with intent to harm → T71.143
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringunderanother person's bodycircumstances undetermined → T71.144
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringin furnituredone with intent to harm byself → T71.152
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringin furnituredone with intent to harm byanother person → T71.153
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient airdue tobeing trapped inlow oxygen environmentin car trunk → T71.221
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient airdue tobeing trapped inlow oxygen environmentin refrigerator → T71.231
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringunderpillowdone with intent to harm byself → T71.112
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tomechanical threat to breathing (accidental)smotheringunderpillowdone with intent to harm byanother person → T71.113
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient airdue tobeing trapped inlow oxygen environmentin car trunkcircumstances undetermined → T71.224
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient airdue tobeing trapped inlow oxygen environmentin refrigeratorcircumstances undetermined → T71.234
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient airdue tobeing trapped inlow oxygen environmentin car trunkdone with intent to harm byself → T71.222
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient airdue tobeing trapped inlow oxygen environmentin car trunkdone with intent to harm byanother person → T71.223
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient airdue tobeing trapped inlow oxygen environmentin refrigeratordone with intent to harm byself → T71.232
  • Asphyxia, asphyxiation (by)traumaticdue tolow oxygen content of ambient airdue tobeing trapped inlow oxygen environmentin refrigeratordone with intent to harm byanother person → T71.233

NCHS Alphabetic Index. Index first, then the Tabular List.

Hierarchy