W16.021S — Fall into swimming pool striking bottom causing drowning and submersion, sequela
Is W16.021S billable?
Yes — W16.021S is billable for FY2027. W16.021S is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. W16.021S may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
W16.021S at a glance
| Code | W16.021S |
|---|---|
| Description | Fall into swimming pool striking bottom causing drowning and submersion, sequela |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "S" | sequela |
What does the 7th character "S" mean in W16.021S?
In W16.021S, the 7th character S means sequela. The 7th character is required for W16.021S to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
How is W16.021S listed in the External Cause Index?
The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under W16.021, the nearest indexed parent of W16.021S. This is a separate index from the Alphabetic Index and is where external cause codes are looked up.
- Striking against › bottom when › falling into water › swimming pool › causing drowning
- Drowning › following › fall › into › swimming-pool › striking › bottom (accidental)
- Drowning › in › swimming-pool › following › fall › striking › bottom (accidental)
- Fall, falling › into › water › in › swimming pool › striking › bottom › causing drowning (accidental)
Excludes1 — never code together
The conditions below can never be reported together with W16.021S on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- drowning and submersion while in swimming pool without fall (W67)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W00-W19
The conditions below can never be reported together with W16.021S on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W16
The conditions below can never be reported together with W16.021S on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W16.0
The conditions below can never be reported together with W16.021S on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- fall into empty swimming pool (W17.3)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W16.021
The conditions below can never be reported together with W16.021S on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- drowning and submersion while in swimming pool without fall (W67)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from W00-W19
The conditions below are not part of W16.021S, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, W16.021S and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from W16
The conditions below are not part of W16.021S, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, W16.021S and the excluded code may both be reported.
- striking or hitting diving board (W21.4)
How long has W16.021S existed?
W16.021S 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.