Drowning and submersion, undetermined intent (Y21) ICD-10-CM
The Y21 code range covers drowning and submersion, undetermined intent with 29 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 21 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
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 each code from category Y21
7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Codes in the Y21 Range 29 codes · 21 billable
- Y21 Drowning and submersion, undetermined intentNon-billable
- Y21.0 Drowning and submersion while in bathtub, undetermined intentNon-billable
- Y21.0XXA Drowning and submersion while in bathtub, undetermined intent, initial encounter
- Y21.0XXD Drowning and submersion while in bathtub, undetermined intent, subsequent encounter
- Y21.0XXS Drowning and submersion while in bathtub, undetermined intent, sequela
- Y21.1 Drowning and submersion after fall into bathtub, undetermined intentNon-billable
- Y21.1XXA Drowning and submersion after fall into bathtub, undetermined intent, initial encounter
- Y21.1XXD Drowning and submersion after fall into bathtub, undetermined intent, subsequent encounter
- Y21.1XXS Drowning and submersion after fall into bathtub, undetermined intent, sequela
- Y21.2 Drowning and submersion while in swimming pool, undetermined intentNon-billable
- Y21.2XXA Drowning and submersion while in swimming pool, undetermined intent, initial encounter
- Y21.2XXD Drowning and submersion while in swimming pool, undetermined intent, subsequent encounter
- Y21.2XXS Drowning and submersion while in swimming pool, undetermined intent, sequela
- Y21.3 Drowning and submersion after fall into swimming pool, undetermined intentNon-billable
- Y21.3XXA Drowning and submersion after fall into swimming pool, undetermined intent, initial encounter
- Y21.3XXD Drowning and submersion after fall into swimming pool, undetermined intent, subsequent encounter
- Y21.3XXS Drowning and submersion after fall into swimming pool, undetermined intent, sequela
- Y21.4 Drowning and submersion in natural water, undetermined intentNon-billable
- Y21.4XXA Drowning and submersion in natural water, undetermined intent, initial encounter
- Y21.4XXD Drowning and submersion in natural water, undetermined intent, subsequent encounter
- Y21.4XXS Drowning and submersion in natural water, undetermined intent, sequela
- Y21.8 Other drowning and submersion, undetermined intentNon-billable
- Y21.8XXA Other drowning and submersion, undetermined intent, initial encounter
- Y21.8XXD Other drowning and submersion, undetermined intent, subsequent encounter
- Y21.8XXS Other drowning and submersion, undetermined intent, sequela
- Y21.9 Unspecified drowning and submersion, undetermined intentNon-billable
- Y21.9XXA Unspecified drowning and submersion, undetermined intent, initial encounter
- Y21.9XXD Unspecified drowning and submersion, undetermined intent, subsequent encounter
- Y21.9XXS Unspecified drowning and submersion, undetermined intent, sequela
About the Y21 Code Range
The ICD-10 code Y21 covers cases of drowning and submersion where the intent is unclear or undetermined. These codes specify different circumstances such as drowning in a bathtub, swimming pool, natural water, or other locations, and include codes for initial, subsequent, or sequela encounters.
The ICD-10 code for drowning and submersion, undetermined intent allows medical coders to document incidents where it is not clear if the submersion was accidental, intentional, or otherwise. Codes like Y21.0 and Y21.1 specify drowning in or after a fall into a bathtub, while Y21.2 and Y21.3 cover similar events involving swimming pools. The section also addresses drowning in natural waters (Y21.4) or other unspecified locations (Y21.8), including conditions such as aspiration pneumonia due to near drowning. For events where the location is not identified, Y21.9 is used. These distinctions, along with encounter types indicated by 7th characters (A, D, S), help medical professionals code and track treatment stages accurately.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the Y21 range?
Of the 29 codes in this range, 21 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the Y21 range classify?
The range classifies drowning and submersion, undetermined intent. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
