T17.220 – Food in pharynx causing asphyxiation

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code T17.220

Code: T17.220 (claims format: T17220)
Description: Food in pharynx causing asphyxiation
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 19. Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
Block: T15-T19 Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice
Parent codes: T17 › T17.2 › T17.22

Billable codes under T17.220

T17.220 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

7th character values

Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care.

Character	Meaning
`A`	initial encounter
`D`	subsequent encounter
`S`	sequela

Notes inherited from parent codes

Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.

T17 – Foreign body in respiratory tract

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T17

T17.2 – Foreign body in pharynx

Applicable to:

Foreign body in nasopharynx
Foreign body in throat NOS

T17.22 – Food in pharynx

Applicable to:

Bones in pharynx
Seeds in pharynx

Block T15-T19

Excludes2 (not included here):

foreign body accidentally left in operation wound (T81.5-)
foreign body in penetrating wound - See open wound by body region
residual foreign body in soft tissue (M79.5)
splinter, without open wound - See superficial injury by body region

Use additional code:

code, if known, for foreign body entering into or through a natural orifice (W44.-)

Index terms for T17.220

Entries in the ICD-10-CM alphabetic index that lead to this code:

Foreign body, pharynx, causing, asphyxiation, food

Related codes in T17.22

T17.228 – Food in pharynx causing other injuryHeader

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code T17.220?

T17.220 is the ICD-10-CM code for food in pharynx causing asphyxiation, in the block T15-T19 (Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice).

Is T17.220 a billable code?

No. T17.220 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does T17.220 belong to?

It belongs to category T17 – Foreign body in respiratory tract.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.