2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code W69Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water
W69 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as W69.XXXA, W69.XXXD, and W69.XXXS.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Accidental drowning and submersion while in lake
- Accidental drowning and submersion while in open sea
- Accidental drowning and submersion while in river
- Accidental drowning and submersion while in stream
Type 1 Excludes
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code W69
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
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.
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
Patient EducationClinical
Drowning
People drown when they get too much water in their lungs. You can drown in as little as an inch or two of water. Babies can drown in a sink or bathtub. Preschoolers are most likely to drown in a swimming pool. People who have seizure disorders are also at risk in the water. Drowning can happen quickly and silently.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About W69Overview
Is W69 (Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water) a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water need a more specific code from this category, such as W69.XXXA, W69.XXXD, and W69.XXXS.
