ICDcodes.org
FY2027

V90.19XADrowning and submersion due to unspecified watercraft sinking, initial encounter

BillableUnspecified

Is V90.19XA billable?

Yes, but V90.19XA is an unspecified code. V90.19XA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, V90.19XA is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting V90.19XA — the more specific alternatives are listed below.

V90.19XA at a glance

CodeV90.19XA
DescriptionDrowning and submersion due to unspecified watercraft sinking, initial encounter
BillableYes
Code setICD-10-CM FY2027
Valid for encountersOctober 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
7th character "A"initial encounter

What does the 7th character "A" mean in V90.19XA?

In V90.19XA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for V90.19XA to be a valid, complete code.

Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:

How is V90.19XA listed in the External Cause Index?

The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under V90.19, the nearest indexed parent of V90.19XA. This is a separate index from the Alphabetic Index and is where external cause codes are looked up.

  • Drowningdue toaccidentwatercraftsinking (accidental)

Inclusion terms

Alternative wording in documentation that is classified to V90.19XA.

  • Drowning and submersion due to boat NOS sinking
  • Drowning and submersion due to ship NOS sinking
  • Drowning and submersion due to watercraft NOS sinking

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from V90

The conditions below can never be reported together with V90.19XA on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.

  • civilian water transport accident involving military watercraft (V94.81-)
  • fall into water not from watercraft (W16.-)
  • military watercraft accident in military or war operations (Y36.0-, Y37.0-)
  • water-transport-related drowning or submersion without accident to watercraft (V92.-)

How long has V90.19XA existed?

V90.19XA has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.

Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.