T71.21XD ICD-10-CM Code: Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth, subsequent encounter
T71.21XD is the authoritative medical code for Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth, subsequent encounter. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth, subsequent encounter (ICD-10-CM T71.21XD), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with current federal coding standards.
Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.
Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)
MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v43.0 (FY2026), Appendix B.
- MS-DRG 949 — AFTERCARE WITH CC/MCC (MDC 23)
- MS-DRG 950 — AFTERCARE WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 23)
A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.
Code Set: Valid FY2026 and FY2027. FY2026 took effect October 1, 2025.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for T71.21XD in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Excludes1 — Not Coded Here
Conditions that can never be reported with this code; the two are mutually exclusive.
- 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.-)
Code Also
Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.
- 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-)
Use Additional Code
Supplementary codes the tabular list directs you to add.
- Use additional code for any associated cataclysm (X34-X38)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Does T71.21XD require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T71.
What can't be coded together with T71.21XD?
Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes1 instructions, T71.21XD must not be reported together with: acute respiratory distress (syndrome) (J80); anoxia due to high altitude (T70.2); asphyxia NOS (R09.01); asphyxia from carbon monoxide (T58.-).
Is an additional code needed with T71.21XD?
Use additional code(s) to specify: code for any associated cataclysm (X34-X38).
Nearest Codes in This Family
Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to T71.21XD in its code family, with their registry titles.
- T71.20XA — Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified cause, initial encounter
- T71.20XD — Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified cause, subsequent encounter
- T71.20XS — Asphyxiation due to systemic oxygen deficiency due to low oxygen content in ambient air due to unspecified cause, sequela
- T71.21 — Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth
- T71.21XA — Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth, initial encounter
- T71.21XS — Asphyxiation due to cave-in or falling earth, sequela
- T71.22 — Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk
- T71.221 — Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, accidental
- T71.221A — Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, accidental, initial encounter
- T71.221D — Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a car trunk, accidental, subsequent encounter