Is W69.XXXS a billable ICD-10-CM code?

Yes. W69.XXXS is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code and is valid for submission on a claim.

Where does W69.XXXS sit in the tabular list?

External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99), in the block Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion (W65-W74).

What cannot be coded together with W69.XXXS?

W69.XXXS carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.

W69.XXXS

W69.XXXS — Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, sequela

Billable / specific codeICD-10-CMPOA exempt

W69.XXXS is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code for accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, sequela. It is valid for submission on a claim.

7th character "S" — sequela

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code W69

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.

accidental drowning and submersion due to fall into natural body of water (W16.111, W16.121, W16.131)

Inclusion terms

Alternative wordings a physician may use in the chart for this same code.

Accidental drowning and submersion while in lake
Accidental drowning and submersion while in open sea
Accidental drowning and submersion while in river
Accidental drowning and submersion while in stream

Risk adjustment

W69.XXXS 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.

Related codes at this level

Codes that share W69. If W69.XXXS is not quite right, the correct code is usually one of these.

Questions about W69.XXXS

Is W69.XXXS a billable ICD-10-CM code?: Yes. W69.XXXS is a billable, specific ICD-10-CM code and is valid for submission on a claim.
Where does W69.XXXS sit in the tabular list?: External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99), in the block Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion (W65-W74).
What cannot be coded together with W69.XXXS?: W69.XXXS carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.