Guidelines › Unknown or undetermined intent

Unknown or undetermined intent

Official text from the FY2027 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. The wording is quoted exactly.

Guidelines I.C.20.h

“If the intent (accident, self-harm, assault) of the cause of an injury or other condition is unknown or unspecified, code the intent as accidental intent.”

“External cause codes for events of undetermined intent are only for use if the documentation in the record specifies that the intent cannot be determined.”

Where this applies

105 billable codes. Source: FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, effective October 1, 2026. Full Guidelines (PDF, CMS)