2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code W21Striking against or struck by sports equipment

ICD-10-CM Codes›V01–Y99›W20-W49›W21

ICD-10-CM W21
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

W21 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for striking against or struck by sports equipment, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as W21.00XA, W21.00XD, W21.00XS, and W21.01XA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
W21
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Striking against or struck by sports equipment
Short Description
Striking against or struck by sports equipment
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
W20-W49
Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces

Code Classification

ChapterV01–Y99External causes of morbidity and mortality
SectionW20-W49Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces
CategoryW21Striking against or struck by sports equipment
This CodeW21Striking against or struck by sports equipment

Specific Coding for Striking against or struck by sports equipmentOverview

Non-specific codes like W21 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • W21.0 for Struck by hit or thrown ball

  • W21.00 for Struck by hit or thrown ball, unspecified type

  • W21.01 for Struck by football

  • W21.02 for Struck by soccer ball

  • W21.03 for Struck by baseball

  • W21.04 for Struck by golf ball

  • W21.05 for Struck by basketball

  • W21.06 for Struck by volleyball

  • W21.07 for Struck by softball

  • W21.09 for Struck by other hit or thrown ball

  • W21.1 for Struck by bat, racquet or club

  • W21.11 for Struck by baseball bat

  • W21.12 for Struck by tennis racquet

  • W21.13 for Struck by golf club

  • W21.19 for Struck by other bat, racquet or club

  • W21.2 for Struck by hockey stick or puck

  • W21.21 for Struck by hockey stick

  • W21.22 for Struck by hockey puck

  • W21.3 for Struck by sports foot wear

  • W21.31 for Struck by shoe cleats

  • W21.32 for Struck by skate blades

  • W21.39 for Struck by other sports foot wear

  • W21.4 for Striking against diving board

  • W21.8 for Striking against or struck by other sports equipment

  • W21.81 for Striking against or struck by football helmet

  • W21.89 for Striking against or struck by other sports equipment

  • W21.9 for Striking against or struck by unspecified sports equipment

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to W21: its own notes plus those printed at block W20-W49 and Chapter 20. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

On W21 itself
  • assault with sports equipment (Y08.0-)
  • striking against or struck by sports equipment with subsequent fall (W18.01)
From Block W20-W49 Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces applies to 510 codes
  • assault (X92-Y09)
  • contact or collision with animals or persons (W50-W64)
  • exposure to inanimate mechanical forces involving military or war operations (Y36.-, Y37.-)
  • intentional self-harm (X71-X83)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 20 (V00-Y99) External causes of morbidity and mortality applies to 7,461 codes
  • 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.

7th Character

Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W21
Values for category W21 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name W21, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming W21: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • W20 Struck by thrown, projected or falling object
    struck by thrown sports equipment (W21.-)
  • W20.8 Other cause of strike by thrown, projected or falling object
    struck by thrown sports equipment (W21.-)

Patient EducationClinical

Sports Injuries

Exercising is good for you, but sometimes you can injure yourself when you play sports or exercise. Accidents, poor training practices, or improper gear can cause them. Some people get hurt because they are not in shape. Not warming up or stretching enough can also lead to injuries.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About W21Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for striking against or struck by sports equipment?

W21 is the ICD-10-CM category for striking against or struck by sports equipment, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is W21 (Striking against or struck by sports equipment) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for striking against or struck by sports equipment, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for striking against or struck by sports equipment need a more specific code from this category, such as W21.00XA, W21.00XD, and W21.00XS.

Can W21 be reported with a code from Y08.0?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on W21 lists "assault with sports equipment (Y08.0-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).