2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Y38Terrorism

ICD-10-CM Codes›V01–Y99›Y35-Y38›Y38

ICD-10-CM Y38
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Y38 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for terrorism, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as Y38.0X1A, Y38.0X1D, Y38.0X1S, and Y38.0X2A.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Y38
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Terrorism
Short Description
Terrorism
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
Y35-Y38
Legal intervention, operations of war, military operations, and terrorism

Code Classification

ChapterV01–Y99External causes of morbidity and mortality
SectionY35-Y38Legal intervention, operations of war, military operations, and terrorism
CategoryY38Terrorism
This CodeY38Terrorism

Specific Coding for TerrorismOverview

Non-specific codes like Y38 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Y38.0 for Terrorism involving explosion of marine weapons

  • Y38.0X for Terrorism involving explosion of marine weapons

  • Y38.1 for Terrorism involving destruction of aircraft

  • Y38.1X for Terrorism involving destruction of aircraft

  • Y38.2 for Terrorism involving other explosions and fragments

  • Y38.2X for Terrorism involving other explosions and fragments

  • Y38.3 for Terrorism involving fires, conflagration and hot substances

  • Y38.3X for Terrorism involving fires, conflagration and hot substances

  • Y38.4 for Terrorism involving firearms

  • Y38.4X for Terrorism involving firearms

  • Y38.5 for Terrorism involving nuclear weapons

  • Y38.5X for Terrorism involving nuclear weapons

  • Y38.6 for Terrorism involving biological weapons

  • Y38.6X for Terrorism involving biological weapons

  • Y38.7 for Terrorism involving chemical weapons

  • Y38.7X for Terrorism involving chemical weapons

  • Y38.8 for Terrorism involving other and unspecified means

  • Y38.80 for Terrorism involving unspecified means

  • Y38.81 for Terrorism involving suicide bomber

  • Y38.89 for Terrorism involving other means

  • Y38.9 for Terrorism, secondary effects

  • Y38.9X for Terrorism, secondary effects

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to Y38: its own notes plus those printed at 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.

  • These codes are for use to identify injuries resulting from the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a Government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objective

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

  • code for place of occurrence (Y92.-)

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 Y38
Values for category Y38 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 Y38, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming Y38: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

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 Y38Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for terrorism?

Y38 is the ICD-10-CM category for terrorism, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is Y38 (Terrorism) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for terrorism, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for terrorism need a more specific code from this category, such as Y38.0X1A, Y38.0X1D, and Y38.0X1S.

Does Y38 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code for place of occurrence (Y92.-). The additional code is reported after Y38.