W16.41XA — Fall into unspecified water causing drowning and submersion, initial encounter
Is W16.41XA billable?
Yes, but W16.41XA is an unspecified code. W16.41XA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, W16.41XA 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 W16.41XA — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
- W16.011AFall into swimming pool striking water surface causing drowning and submersion, initial encounter
- W16.111AFall into natural body of water striking water surface causing drowning and submersion, initial encounter
- W16.211AFall in (into) filled bathtub causing drowning and submersion, initial encounter
- W16.311AFall into other water striking water surface causing drowning and submersion, initial encounter
- W16.511AJumping or diving into swimming pool striking water surface causing drowning and submersion, initial encounter
- W16.611AJumping or diving into natural body of water striking water surface causing drowning and submersion, initial encounter
- W16.711AJumping or diving from boat striking water surface causing drowning and submersion, initial encounter
- W16.811AJumping or diving into other water striking water surface causing drowning and submersion, initial encounter
W16.41XA at a glance
| Code | W16.41XA |
|---|---|
| Description | Fall into unspecified water causing drowning and submersion, initial encounter |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "A" | initial encounter |
What does the 7th character "A" mean in W16.41XA?
In W16.41XA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for W16.41XA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
How is W16.41XA listed in the External Cause Index?
The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under W16.41, the nearest indexed parent of W16.41XA. This is a separate index from the Alphabetic Index and is where external cause codes are looked up.
- Fall, falling › into › water › causing drowning (accidental)
- Drowning › following › fall › into › water NOS (accidental)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W00-W19
The conditions below can never be reported together with W16.41XA 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 W16.41XA on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from W00-W19
The conditions below are not part of W16.41XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, W16.41XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from W16
The conditions below are not part of W16.41XA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, W16.41XA and the excluded code may both be reported.
- striking or hitting diving board (W21.4)
How long has W16.41XA existed?
W16.41XA 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.