Alphabetic Index FY2027

W16

Fall, jump or diving into water

FY2027Chapter 20: External causes of morbidity/W00–W19 Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls

Non-billable headerNot valid on its own. Use one of the more specific codes under it.

W16 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code category for fall, jump or diving into water. Report a more specific code from it instead. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. The more specific codes under it are W16.0 Fall into swimming pool, W16.1 Fall into natural body of water, W16.2 Fall in (into) filled bathtub or bucket of water, W16.3 Fall into other water and 6 more. Its coding notes include 9 Excludes1 entries and 4 Excludes2 entries.

7th characters

Every code below needs one of these.

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W16

  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

Guidelines tip

From the FY2027 Official Guidelines. ICD10Ref adds no rules of its own.

An external cause code is never a principal or first-listed diagnosis. Its 7th character is assigned for each encounter and should match the injury or condition code.

Guidelines I.C.20.a.2; I.C.20.a.6External cause codesRead the official text

Excludes1

Not coded here. The listed conditions generally should not be reported together.

This code
  • accidental non-watercraft drowning and submersion not involving fall (W65-W74)
  • effects of air pressure from diving (W94.-)
  • fall into water from watercraft (V90-V94)
  • hitting an object or against bottom when falling from watercraft (V94.0)
Also from chapter/block level (5 notes)
Inherited from W00–W19 Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls
  • assault involving a fall (Y01-Y02)
  • fall from animal (V80.-)
  • fall (in) (from) machinery (in operation) (W28-W31)
  • fall (in) (from) transport vehicle (V01-V99)
  • intentional self-harm involving a fall (X80-X81)

Excludes2

Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.

This code
  • striking or hitting diving board (W21.4)
Also from chapter/block level (3 notes)
Inherited from W00–W19 Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls
  • at risk for fall (history of fall) Z91.81
  • fall (in) (from) burning building (X00.-)
  • fall into fire (X00-X04, X08)

Notes

Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
Inherited from Chapter 20 External causes of morbidity
  • This chapter permits the classification of environmental events and circumstances as the cause of injury, and other adverse effects. Where a code from this section is applicable, it is intended that it shall be used secondary to a code from another chapter of the Classification indicating the nature of the condition. Most often, the condition will be classifiable to Chapter 19, Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88). Other conditions that may be stated to be due to external causes are classified in Chapters I to XVIII. For these conditions, codes from Chapter 20 should be used to provide additional information as to the cause of the condition.

More specific codes under W16 10