Exposure to man-made visible and ultraviolet light (W89) ICD-10-CM
The W89 code range covers exposure to man-made visible and ultraviolet light with 17 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 12 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- exposure to welding light (arc)
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
- exposure to sunlight X32
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 W89
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 W89 Range 17 codes · 12 billable
- W89 Exposure to man-made visible and ultraviolet lightNon-billable
- W89.0 Exposure to welding light (arc)Non-billable
- W89.0XXA Exposure to welding light (arc), initial encounter
- W89.0XXD Exposure to welding light (arc), subsequent encounter
- W89.0XXS Exposure to welding light (arc), sequela
- W89.1 Exposure to tanning bedNon-billable
- W89.1XXA Exposure to tanning bed, initial encounter
- W89.1XXD Exposure to tanning bed, subsequent encounter
- W89.1XXS Exposure to tanning bed, sequela
- W89.8 Exposure to other man-made visible and ultraviolet lightNon-billable
- W89.8XXA Exposure to other man-made visible and ultraviolet light, initial encounter
- W89.8XXD Exposure to other man-made visible and ultraviolet light, subsequent encounter
- W89.8XXS Exposure to other man-made visible and ultraviolet light, sequela
- W89.9 Exposure to unspecified man-made visible and ultraviolet lightNon-billable
- W89.9XXA Exposure to unspecified man-made visible and ultraviolet light, initial encounter
- W89.9XXD Exposure to unspecified man-made visible and ultraviolet light, subsequent encounter
- W89.9XXS Exposure to unspecified man-made visible and ultraviolet light, sequela
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the W89 range.
Skin Pigmentation
Coloration of the skin.
About the W89 Code Range
The W89 ICD-10 codes cover exposure to man-made visible and ultraviolet light sources, such as welding arcs, tanning beds, and other artificial UV lights. These codes help document injuries or skin conditions caused by overexposure to specific light types in medical records accurately.
Codes like W89.0 specify exposure to welding light (arc), including initial encounters (W89.0XXA), subsequent visits, and sequelae. Common terms linked to these codes are "overexposure to arc lamp radiation" or "exposure to welding arc," assisting coders in identifying work-related eye or skin injuries from electrical welding. The W89.1 series focuses on tanning bed exposure, marked by terms such as "addiction to sunbed use," emphasizing its potential for skin damage from artificial tanning devices. The W89.8 codes cover other man-made light exposures like ultraviolet phototherapy, including burns and skin reactions from black lights or PUVA treatment, often referencing "adverse effects from PUVA photochemotherapy." Lastly, W89.9 is for unspecified man-made visible or ultraviolet light exposure, capturing various conditions like phototoxic reactions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome from light exposure, and artificial ultraviolet induced skin pigmentation. Using these codes supports precise classification of conditions caused by different artificial light exposures in clinical documentation.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the W89 range?
Of the 17 codes in this range, 12 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 W89 range classify?
The range classifies exposure to man-made visible and ultraviolet light. 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.
