2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code W88Exposure to ionizing radiation

ICD-10-CM Codes›V01–Y99›W85-W99›W88

ICD-10-CM W88
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

W88 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for exposure to ionizing radiation, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as W88.0XXA, W88.0XXD, W88.0XXS, and W88.1XXA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
W88
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Exposure to ionizing radiation
Short Description
Exposure to ionizing radiation
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
W85-W99
Exposure to electric current, radiation and extreme ambient air temperature and pressure

Code Classification

ChapterV01–Y99External causes of morbidity and mortality
SectionW85-W99Exposure to electric current, radiation and extreme ambient air temperature and pressure
CategoryW88Exposure to ionizing radiation
This CodeW88Exposure to ionizing radiation

Specific Coding for Exposure to ionizing radiationOverview

Non-specific codes like W88 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • W88.0 for Exposure to X-rays

  • W88.1 for Exposure to radioactive isotopes

  • W88.8 for Exposure to other ionizing radiation

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to W88: its own notes plus those printed at block W85-W99 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.

On W88 itself
  • exposure to sunlight (X32)
From Block W85-W99 Exposure to electric current, radiation and extreme ambient air temperature and pressure applies to 99 codes
  • exposure to:
  • failure in dosage of radiation or temperature during surgical and medical care (Y63.2-Y63.5)
  • lightning (T75.0-)
  • natural cold (X31)
  • natural heat (X30)
  • natural radiation NOS (X39)
  • radiological procedure and radiotherapy (Y84.2)
  • sunlight (X32)

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 W88
Values for category W88 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 W88, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming W88: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • X39.0 Exposure to natural radiation
    exposure to man-made radiation (W88-W90)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming W88: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Z77.123 Contact with and (suspected) exposure to radon and other naturally occurring radiation
    radiation exposure as the cause of a confirmed condition (W88-W90, X39.0-)

Use Additional Code 8

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and W88 is one of the codes named.

  • D84.822 Immunodeficiency due to external causes
    exposure to ionizing radiation (W88)
  • G62.82 Radiation-induced polyneuropathy
    external cause code (W88-W90, X39.0-) to identify cause
  • J70.0 Acute pulmonary manifestations due to radiation
    code (W88-W90, X39.0-) to identify the external cause
  • J70.1 Chronic and other pulmonary manifestations due to radiation
    code (W88-W90, X39.0-) to identify the external cause
  • K12.33 Oral mucositis (ulcerative) due to radiation
    external cause code (W88-W90, X39.0-) to identify cause
  • K62.7 Radiation proctitis
    code to identify the type of radiation (W88.-)
  • L58 Radiodermatitis
    code to identify the source of the radiation (W88, W90)
  • M27.2 Inflammatory conditions of jaws
    code (W88-W90, X39.0) to identify radiation, if radiation-induced

Patient EducationClinical

Radiation Exposure

Radiation is energy. It travels in the form of energy waves or high-speed particles. Radiation can occur naturally or be man-made. There are two types:

The full article covers:

  • What is radiation?
  • What are the sources of radiation exposure?
  • What are the health effects of radiation exposure?
  • What are the treatments for acute radiation sickness?
  • How can radiation exposure be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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 W88Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for exposure to ionizing radiation?

W88 is the ICD-10-CM category for exposure to ionizing radiation, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is W88 (Exposure to ionizing radiation) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for exposure to ionizing radiation, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for exposure to ionizing radiation need a more specific code from this category, such as W88.0XXA, W88.0XXD, and W88.0XXS.

Can W88 be reported with X32?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on W88 lists "exposure to sunlight (X32)". 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).