Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code W94.11

Exposure to residence or prolonged visit at high altitude

ICD-10-CM Code:
W94.11
ICD-10 Code for:
Exposure to residence or prolonged visit at high altitude
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • External causes of morbidity and mortality
    (V01–Y99)
    • Exposure to electric current, radiation and extreme ambient air temperature and pressure
      (W85-W99)
      • Exposure to high and low air pressure and changes in air pressure
        (W94)

W94.11 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of exposure to residence or prolonged visit at high altitude. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Exposure to residence or prolonged visit at high altitude

Non-specific codes like W94.11 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for exposure to residence or prolonged visit at high altitude:

  • Use W94.11XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use W94.11XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use W94.11XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Index of External Cause of Injuries

References found for this diagnosis code in the External Cause of Injuries Index:

    • Air
      • pressure
        • low, prolonged
          • due to residence or long visit at high altitude
    • Alpine sickness
    • Altitude sickness
    • Andes disease
    • Disease
      • Andes
    • Disease
      • range
    • Mountain sickness
    • Prolonged
      • stay in
        • high altitude as cause of anoxia, barodontalgia, barotitis or hypoxia
    • Range disease
    • Sickness
      • alpine
    • Sickness
      • mountain

Patient Education


Traveler's Health

Traveling can increase your chances of getting sick. A long flight can increase your risk for deep vein thrombosis. Once you arrive, it takes time to adjust to the water, food, and air in another place. Water in developing countries can contain viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Be safe by using only bottled or purified water for drinking, making ice cubes, and brushing your teeth. If you use tap water, boil it or use iodine tablets. Food poisoning can also be a risk. Eat only food that is fully cooked and served hot. Avoid unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits and vegetables.

If you are traveling out of the country, you might also need vaccinations or medicines to prevent specific illnesses. Which ones you need will depend on what part of the world you're visiting, the time of year, your age, overall health status, and previous vaccinations. See your doctor 4 to 6 weeks before your trip. Most vaccines take time to become effective.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.