2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code W53Contact with rodent

ICD-10-CM Codes›V01–Y99›W50-W64›W53

ICD-10-CM W53
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

W53 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for contact with rodent, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as W53.01XA, W53.01XD, W53.01XS, and W53.09XA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
W53
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Contact with rodent
Short Description
Contact with rodent
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
W50-W64
Exposure to animate mechanical forces

Code Classification

ChapterV01–Y99External causes of morbidity and mortality
SectionW50-W64Exposure to animate mechanical forces
CategoryW53Contact with rodent
This CodeW53Contact with rodent

Specific Coding for Contact with rodentOverview

Non-specific codes like W53 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • W53.0 for Contact with mouse

  • W53.01 for Bitten by mouse

  • W53.09 for Other contact with mouse

  • W53.1 for Contact with rat

  • W53.11 for Bitten by rat

  • W53.19 for Other contact with rat

  • W53.2 for Contact with squirrel

  • W53.21 for Bitten by squirrel

  • W53.29 for Other contact with squirrel

  • W53.8 for Contact with other rodent

  • W53.81 for Bitten by other rodent

  • W53.89 for Other contact with other rodent

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to W53: 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.

  • contact with saliva, feces or urine of rodent

Excludes1

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

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 W53
Values for category W53 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 W53, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming W53: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • W55 Contact with other mammals
    bitten or struck by rodent (W53.-)

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 W53Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for contact with rodent?

W53 is the ICD-10-CM category for contact with rodent, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is W53 (Contact with rodent) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for contact with rodent, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for contact with rodent need a more specific code from this category, such as W53.01XA, W53.01XD, and W53.01XS.

Can W53 be reported with a code from T63?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block W50-W64, which applies to W53, lists "Toxic effect of contact with venomous animals and plants (T63.-)". 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).