2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code W50Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person

ICD-10-CM Codes›V01–Y99›W50-W64›W50

ICD-10-CM W50
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

W50 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as W50.0XXA, W50.0XXD, W50.0XXS, and W50.1XXA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
W50
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person
Short Description
Acc hit, strk, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another prsn
Chapter
W50-W64
Exposure to animate mechanical forces

Code Classification

ChapterV01–Y99External causes of morbidity and mortality
SectionW50-W64Exposure to animate mechanical forces
CategoryW50Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person
This CodeW50Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person

Specific Coding for Acc hit, strk, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another prsnOverview

Non-specific codes like W50 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • W50.0 for Accidental hit or strike by another person

  • W50.1 for Accidental kick by another person

  • W50.2 for Accidental twist by another person

  • W50.3 for Accidental bite by another person

  • W50.4 for Accidental scratch by another person

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to W50: its own notes plus those printed at block W50-W64 and Chapter 20. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • hit, strike, kick, twist, bite, or scratch by another person NOS

Excludes1

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

On W50 itself
  • assault by bodily force (Y04)
  • struck by objects (W20-W22)
From Block W50-W64 Exposure to animate mechanical forces applies to 336 codes
  • Toxic effect of contact with venomous animals and plants (T63.-)

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 W50
Values for category W50 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 W50Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person?

W50 is the ICD-10-CM category for accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is W50 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person need a more specific code from this category, such as W50.0XXA, W50.0XXD, and W50.0XXS.

Can W50 be reported with Y04?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on W50 lists "assault by bodily force (Y04)". 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).