2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code W42Exposure to noise

ICD-10-CM Codes›V01–Y99›W20-W49›W42

ICD-10-CM W42
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

W42 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for exposure to noise, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as W42.0XXA, W42.0XXD, W42.0XXS, and W42.9XXA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
W42
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Exposure to noise
Short Description
Exposure to noise
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
CategoryW42Exposure to noise
This CodeW42Exposure to noise

Specific Coding for Exposure to noiseOverview

Non-specific codes like W42 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • W42.0 for Exposure to supersonic waves

  • W42.9 for Exposure to other noise

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to W42: 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.

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 W42
Values for category W42 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

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

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 W42Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for exposure to noise?

W42 is the ICD-10-CM category for exposure to noise, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is W42 (Exposure to noise) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for exposure to noise, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for exposure to noise need a more specific code from this category, such as W42.0XXA, W42.0XXD, and W42.0XXS.

Can W42 be reported with a code from Y36?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block W20-W49, which applies to W42, lists "exposure to inanimate mechanical forces involving military or war operations (Y36.-, Y37.-)". 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).