Reporting Cricothyrotomy/Cricothyroidotomy in ICD-10-PCS

The FY 2026 updates to ICD-10-PCS have been released and although they won’t be implemented until October 1st it’s never too early to begin getting acquainted with the coming changes. An interesting revision for 2026 impacts reporting of cricothyrotomy/cricothyroidotomy procedures.

What is a Cricothyrotomy/Cricothyroidotomy?

Cricothyrotomy/cricothyroidotomy is a procedure performed to provide access to a patient’s airway when it is blocked.

Characteristics of Cricothyrotomy/Cricothyroidotomy

• Provides emergent, immediate airway access secondary to sudden blockage/injury. This is a lifesaving procedure.
• A temporary solution that is not meant for long term access to the airway. Long term access is accomplished via tracheostomy.
• Can be performed by doctors, nurses or emergency personnel.
• Can be performed in the OR, at the bedside or even in the field
• Does not require anesthesia, but sedatives such as ketamine may be used to sedate the patient

How is a Cricothyrotomy/Cricothyroidotomy Performed?

The cricothyroid ligament contains the cricothyroid membrane. These are attached to and stretch between the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage to provide stability and to prevent them from moving too far apart. All of these structures are part of the larynx.

During a cricothyrotomy/cricothyroidotomy an incision is made through the skin and down to the cricothyroid membrane. The cricothyroid membrane is then incised and a tube is inserted through the opening and into the windpipe to create and maintain access to the airway.

ICD-10-PCS Changes for 2026

Currently, the ICD-10-PCS Body Part Key maps the term Cricoid cartilage to the body part value Trachea.

2025

Body Part Key

Beginning with the 2026 version of ICD-10-PCS, the term Cricoid cartilage will map to the body part value of Larynx. Additionally, Cricothyroid membrane has been added to the Body Part Key and also maps to the body part value Larynx.

2026

Body Part Key 

This is a more accurate mapping in the Body Part Key because, as was discussed earlier, the cricothyroid membrane/ligament is part of the anatomy of the larynx rather than the trachea.

How is Cricothyrotomy/Cricothyroidotomy Coded in ICD-10-PCS?

Beginning October 1, 2026, as per the ICD-10-PCS Alphabetic Index, cricothyrotomy/cricothyroidotomy procedures will be reported from code table 0C1.

ICD-10-PCS Alphabetic Index

This is a new table for 2026 which adds the root operation Bypass to the Mouth and Throat body system. The only body part value available in this table is Larynx and the only qualifier value is Cutaneous…remember for non-coronary artery bypass procedures the qualifier value indicates the body part bypassed to (see ICD-10-PCS coding guideline B3.6a). Selection of the approach and device character values will depend on what is documented in the procedure note.

Key Takeaways

• Cricothyrotomy/cricothyroidotomy is a life saving procedure that creates an emergency airway through an incision in the cricothyroid membrane
• Beginning with FY 2026, the ICD-10-PCS Body Part Key maps the term cricothyroid membrane to the body part value Larynx
• Cricothyrotomy/cricothyroidotomy procedures are coded with the root operation Bypass and the qualifier value Cutaneous in the Mouth and Throat body system
• Selection of the applicable approach and device values will depend on the documentation in the procedure note.

References

• https://www.healthline.com/health/cricothyrotomy-vs-tracheostomy
• ICD-10-PCS Codebook
• ICD-10-PCS Coding Guidelines

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The information contained in this coding advice is valid at the time of posting. Viewers are encouraged to research subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.