2025 ICD-10-CM code T17
Presence of a foreign body in the respiratory tract.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a foreign body in the respiratory tract causing symptoms or posing a risk of complications.
The clinician is responsible for identifying the location and nature of the foreign body, documenting the circumstances of the event, and providing appropriate medical care, which may include removal of the object and management of any resulting complications.
In simple words: This code indicates that something that shouldn't be there is stuck in the airways, like the windpipe or lungs.
The code T17 signifies the presence of a foreign body within the respiratory tract. This includes the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.Further specification is required to identify the specific location and type of foreign body.
Example 1: A child swallows a small toy and it becomes lodged in their trachea, causing difficulty breathing., An adult inhales a piece of food, leading to coughing and discomfort in the chest., A patient undergoes a dental procedure and a small dental instrument is accidentally aspirated into the lung.
Documentation should include details about the foreign body (size, type, location), the mechanism of entry, associated symptoms, and any procedures performed for removal or management.
** For accurate reporting and reimbursement, ensure appropriate 7th character is used to indicate initial encounter, subsequent encounter, or sequela.
- Specialties:Pulmonology, Otolaryngology, Emergency Medicine, Thoracic Surgery, Pediatrics
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center