2027 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
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to W69: its own notes plus those printed at block W65-W74 and Chapter 20. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.
Applicable To
Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.
- 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
Excludes1
Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Excludes2
Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.
Notes
General instructions on how these codes are used.
- 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 code W69
- 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 W69, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 6
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming W69: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
- W16.111 Fall into natural body of water striking water surface causing drowning and submersiondrowning and submersion while in natural body of water without fall (W69)
- W16.121 Fall into natural body of water striking bottom causing drowning and submersiondrowning and submersion while in natural body of water without fall (W69)
- W16.131 Fall into natural body of water striking side causing drowning and submersiondrowning and submersion while in natural body of water without fall (W69)
- W16.611 Jumping or diving into natural body of water striking water surface causing drowning and submersiondrowning and submersion while in natural body of water without jumping or diving (W69)
- W16.621 Jumping or diving into natural body of water striking bottom causing drowning and submersiondrowning and submersion while in natural body of water without jumping or diving (W69)
- W16 Fall, jump or diving into water
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index; each main term links to its index entry.
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
What is the ICD-10 code for accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water?
W69 is the ICD-10-CM category for accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.
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.
Can W69 be reported with W16.111?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on W69 lists "accidental drowning and submersion due to fall into natural body of water (W16.111, W16.121, W16.131)". 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).
