ICDcodes.org
FY2027

W16.521SJumping or diving into swimming pool striking bottom causing drowning and submersion, sequela

Billable

Is W16.521S billable?

Yes — W16.521S is billable for FY2027. W16.521S is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. W16.521S may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

W16.521S at a glance

CodeW16.521S
DescriptionJumping or diving into swimming pool striking bottom causing drowning and submersion, sequela
BillableYes
Code setICD-10-CM FY2027
Valid for encountersOctober 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
7th character "S"sequela

What does the 7th character "S" mean in W16.521S?

In W16.521S, the 7th character S means sequela. The 7th character is required for W16.521S to be a valid, complete code.

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

How is W16.521S listed in the External Cause Index?

The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under W16.521, the nearest indexed parent of W16.521S. This is a separate index from the Alphabetic Index and is where external cause codes are looked up.

  • Striking againstbottom whendiving or jumping into waterswimming poolcausing drowning
  • Drowningfollowingjump or diveintoswimming-poolstrikingbottom (accidental)
  • Drowninginswimming-poolfollowingdive or jumpstrikingbottom (accidental)
  • Jumped, jumpinginto waterinswimming poolstrikingbottomcausing drowning

Excludes1 — never code together

The conditions below can never be reported together with W16.521S 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 jumping or diving (W67)

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W00-W19

The conditions below can never be reported together with W16.521S on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.

  • assault involving a fall (Y01-Y02)
  • fall from animal (V80.-)
  • fall (in) (from) machinery (in operation) (W28-W31)
  • fall (in) (from) transport vehicle (V01-V99)
  • intentional self-harm involving a fall (X80-X81)

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W16

The conditions below can never be reported together with W16.521S on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.

  • accidental non-watercraft drowning and submersion not involving fall (W65-W74)
  • effects of air pressure from diving (W94.-)
  • fall into water from watercraft (V90-V94)
  • hitting an object or against bottom when falling from watercraft (V94.0)

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W16.521

The conditions below can never be reported together with W16.521S 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 jumping or diving (W67)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from W00-W19

The conditions below are not part of W16.521S, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, W16.521S and the excluded code may both be reported.

  • at risk for fall (history of fall) Z91.81
  • fall (in) (from) burning building (X00.-)
  • fall into fire (X00-X04, X08)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from W16

The conditions below are not part of W16.521S, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, W16.521S and the excluded code may both be reported.

  • striking or hitting diving board (W21.4)

How long has W16.521S existed?

W16.521S 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.