Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water (W69)
The ICD-10 code W69 is used specifically for cases involving accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water. This includes incidents in fresh, brackish, or saltwater settings during activities like fishing, scuba diving, or other recreational water sports.
These codes capture different stages of care: W69.XXXA documents an initial encounter after an accidental drowning or near drowning event; W69.XXXD applies to subsequent medical visits related to the same drowning incident; and W69.XXXS codes for ongoing conditions resulting from the drowning, referred to as sequela. Common synonyms, such as accidental immersion while skin diving or drowning during sport activities, help clarify the use of these codes. Medical coders and healthcare providers utilize the ICD-10 code for accidental drowning in natural water to accurately classify and track such incidents for treatment and reporting purposes.
External causes of morbidity and mortality (V01–Y99)
Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion (W65-W74)
W69 Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water
- W69.XXXA Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, initial encounter
- W69.XXXD Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, subsequent encounter
- W69.XXXS Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, sequela
Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water (W69)
Instructional Notations
Inclusion Terms
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.
- 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
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.
7th Character Note
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.
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code W69
7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Drowning
Death that occurs as a result of anoxia or heart arrest, associated with immersion in liquid.
Near Drowning
Non-fatal immersion or submersion in water. The subject is resuscitable.
