W18
W18 — Other slipping, tripping and stumbling and falls
Non-billable headerICD-10-CM
W18 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for other slipping, tripping and stumbling and falls. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below. This code also requires a 7th character before it is complete.
This code requires a 7th character
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W18
- A
- initial encounter
- D
- subsequent encounter
- S
- sequela
Other codes that can never be billed with W18
These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at W18. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading W18 alone.
- W01Fall on same level from slipping, tripping and stumbling
- W03Other fall on same level due to collision with another person
- W03.XXXAOther fall on same level due to collision with another person, initial encounter
- W03.XXXDOther fall on same level due to collision with another person, subsequent encounter
- W03.XXXSOther fall on same level due to collision with another person, sequela
- W16.21Fall in (into) filled bathtub
- W18.31Fall on same level due to stepping on an object
- W18.31XAFall on same level due to stepping on an object, initial encounter
Risk adjustment
W18 does not map to an HCC and does not risk-adjust under CMS-HCC V28. That is normal — most ICD-10 codes do not. It still needs to be coded correctly; it just will not move a RAF score.
Code to one of these instead W18
5 child codes. Green means billable.
Questions about W18
- Is W18 a billable ICD-10-CM code?
- No. W18 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
- Where does W18 sit in the tabular list?
- External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99), in the block Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls (W00-W19).