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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code Y38.6
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Y38.6

Terrorism involving biological weapons

ICD-10-CM Code:
Y38.6
ICD-10 Code for:
Terrorism involving biological weapons
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • External causes of morbidity and mortality
    (V01–Y99)
    • Legal intervention, operations of war, military operations, and terrorism
      (Y35-Y38)
      • Terrorism
        (Y38)

Y38.6 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of terrorism involving biological weapons. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Terrorism involving biological weapons

Non-specific codes like Y38.6 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for terrorism involving biological weapons:

  • Y38.6X for Terrorism involving biological weapons - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Y38.6X1 for Terrorism involving biological weapons, public safety official injured - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Y38.6X1A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Y38.6X1D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Y38.6X1S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • Y38.6X2 for Terrorism involving biological weapons, civilian injured - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Y38.6X2A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Y38.6X2D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Y38.6X2S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • Y38.6X3 for Terrorism involving biological weapons, terrorist injured - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Y38.6X3A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Y38.6X3D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use Y38.6X3S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Bioterrorism

    the use of biological agents in terrorism. this includes the malevolent use of bacteria; viruses; or other biological toxins against people, animals; or plants.

  • Chemical Terrorism

    the use of chemical agents in terrorism. this includes the malevolent use of nerve agents, blood agents, blister agents, and choking agents (noxae).

  • Terrorism

    the use or threatened use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of criminal laws for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom, in support of political or social objectives.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Terrorism involving anthrax
  • Terrorism involving cholera
  • Terrorism involving smallpox

Patient Education


Biodefense and Bioterrorism

A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs to cause illness or death. These germs are often found in nature. But they can sometimes be made more harmful by increasing their ability to cause disease, spread, or resist medical treatment.

Biological agents spread through the air, water, or in food. Some can also spread from person to person. They can be very hard to detect. They don't cause illness for several hours or days. Scientists worry that anthrax, botulism, Ebola and other hemorrhagic fever viruses, plague, or smallpox could be used as biological agents.

Biodefense uses medical measures to protect people against bioterrorism. This includes medicines and vaccinations. It also includes medical research and preparations to defend against bioterrorist attacks.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.