W56.49XA
Other contact with shark, initial encounter
W56.49XA (also written W5649XA) is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other contact with shark, initial encounter. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. It is one of the 63 codes in category W56 (Contact with nonvenomous marine animal). Its 7th character, A, means initial encounter. Its coding notes include 2 Excludes1 entries.
7th character
Category W56 requires a 7th character. W56.49 has only 5 characters, so a placeholder X fills the 6th position.
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.
Excludes1
Not coded here. The listed conditions generally should not be reported together.
Notes
Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
- 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.