T71.2 – Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Other and unspecified effects of external causes

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code T71.2

Code: T71.2 (claims format: T712)
Description: Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air
Short description: Asphyxiation due to systemic oxy defic due to low oxy in air
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: T66-T78 Other and unspecified effects of external causes
Parent codes: T71

Billable codes under T71.2

T71.2 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

T71.20 – Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified causeHeader (more codes below)
T71.21 – Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earthHeader (more codes below)
T71.22 – Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunkHeader (more codes below)
T71.23 – Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigeratorHeader (more codes below)
T71.29 – Asphyxiation due to being trapped in other low oxygen environmentHeader (more codes below)

7th character values

Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care (use placeholder X for empty positions).

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

Notes for T71.2

Applicable to:

Suffocation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air

Notes inherited from parent codes

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

T71 – Asphyxiation

Applicable to:

Mechanical suffocation
Traumatic suffocation

Excludes1 (not coded here):

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.-)

7th character note:

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

Block T66-T78

Code also:

, if applicable, place of occurrence, such as:
highway rest stop (Y92.523)
school (private) (public) (state) as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.21-)
service areas as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.52-)
single-family non-institutional (private) house as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.01-)
transport vehicle as the place of occurrence of the external cause (Y92.81-)

Related codes in T71

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code T71.2?

T71.2 is the ICD-10-CM code for asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air, in the block T66-T78 (Other and unspecified effects of external causes).

Is T71.2 a billable code?

No. T71.2 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does T71.2 belong to?

It belongs to category T71 – Asphyxiation.

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.