Exposure to electric transmission lines (W85)
The ICD-10 code W85 covers exposure to electric transmission lines, including initial encounters, subsequent encounters, and sequela. These codes are used to document injuries caused specifically by electric currents from high-voltage transmission lines.
These codes address incidents such as accidents from central electric currents or broken power lines that result in electric shock or injury through the passage of current through tissue. Coders use W85.XXXA for the initial encounter when the injury first occurs, W85.XXXD for follow-up care related to the same injury, and W85.XXXS for conditions that arise as complications or late effects of the original exposure. Terms like "accident caused by central electric current" and "exposure to current from electric transmission lines" help clarify the appropriate use of this section. These codes are essential for accurately capturing the clinical details and external cause of injuries related to electric transmission lines in medical records and billing.
External causes of morbidity and mortality (V01–Y99)
Exposure to electric current, radiation and extreme ambient air temperature and pressure (W85-W99)
W85 Exposure to electric transmission lines
- W85.XXXA Exposure to electric transmission lines, initial encounter
- W85.XXXD Exposure to electric transmission lines, subsequent encounter
- W85.XXXS Exposure to electric transmission lines, sequela
Exposure to electric transmission lines (W85)
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.
- Broken power line
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 W85
7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
