W20 — Struck by thrown, projected or falling object
W20 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for struck by thrown, projected or falling object. 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 W20
- A
- initial encounter
- D
- subsequent encounter
- S
- sequela
Excludes1 — never code together
These conditions cannot occur together. Billing both on the same encounter is a denial.
Code first
The underlying condition must be sequenced before this code.
Other codes that can never be billed with W20
These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at W20. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading W20 alone.
- W13.9Fall from, out of or through building, not otherwise specified
- W13.9XXAFall from, out of or through building, not otherwise specified, initial encounter
- W13.9XXDFall from, out of or through building, not otherwise specified, subsequent encounter
- W13.9XXSFall from, out of or through building, not otherwise specified, sequela
- W22.8Striking against or struck by other objects
- W22.8XXAStriking against or struck by other objects, initial encounter
- W22.8XXDStriking against or struck by other objects, subsequent encounter
- W22.8XXSStriking against or struck by other objects, sequela
Risk adjustment
W20 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 W20
3 child codes. Green means billable.
Questions about W20
- Is W20 a billable ICD-10-CM code?
- No. W20 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
- Where does W20 sit in the tabular list?
- External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99), in the block Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (W20-W49).
- What cannot be coded together with W20?
- W20 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.