Exposure to animate mechanical forces (W50-W64) ICD-10-CM
The W50–W64 section covers exposure to animate mechanical forces with 489 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, of which 336 are billable in fiscal year 2026. The section is organized into the 14 code ranges listed below.
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.
- Toxic effect of contact with venomous animals and plants T63
Code Ranges in This Section 14 ranges · 489 codes
The info icon previews the code ranges inside each row and its instructional notations from the official Tabular List.
About the W50–W64 Code Range
ICD-10 codes W50 through W64 cover injuries caused by exposure to live beings resulting in mechanical forces such as hits, bites, scratches, or stings. This code range is used to document various incidents involving accidental physical contact or injury inflicted by other people, mammals, reptiles, marine animals, insects, and plants.
This chapter includes codes for specific types of mechanical harms from animate sources. For example, codes like W50 describe accidental hits or kicks by another person, while W53 to W55 categorize injuries from contacts with rodents, dogs, cats, horses, and other mammals. Dog and cat bites are well detailed with synonyms such as "dog bite" or "cat bite," aiding coders in selecting correct codes. Similarly, reptile-related injuries are coded under W58 to W59, covering alligators, crocodiles, snakes, and lizards. Marine animal injuries, including bites or stings by dolphins, sharks, and sea lions, are coded within W56. Insect and arthropod bites and stings are classified under W57, with terms like "nonvenomous insect bite" or "insect sting" assisting identification. Plant-related injuries from thorns or spines fall under W60. Each code includes distinctions for initial encounter, subsequent encounters, and sequelae, supporting precise documentation of injury events and follow-ups involving animate mechanical forces.
Questions About This Page
How many codes are in the W50-W64 range?
The W50-W64 range contains 489 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes in FY 2026. 336 of them are billable, and the rest are category headers that organize the section.
What conditions does W50-W64 cover?
The range covers exposure to animate mechanical forces. The code ranges listed above break it into groups of related conditions, and each one links to its own page with the full code list.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
