W20.0XXA — Struck by falling object in cave-in, initial encounter
Is W20.0XXA billable?
Yes — W20.0XXA is billable for FY2027. W20.0XXA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code at the highest level of specificity in its branch. W20.0XXA may be submitted for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
W20.0XXA at a glance
| Code | W20.0XXA |
|---|---|
| Description | Struck by falling object in cave-in, 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 W20.0XXA?
In W20.0XXA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for W20.0XXA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
How is W20.0XXA listed in the External Cause Index?
The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under W20.0, the nearest indexed parent of W20.0XXA. This is a separate index from the Alphabetic Index and is where external cause codes are looked up.
- Earth falling (on)
- Rock falling on or hitting › in cave-in (accidentally) (person)
- Crushed › by › cave-in (accidentally)
- Crushed › by › falling › earth, material (accidentally)
- Struckby › object › falling › from, in, on › cave-in (accidentally)
Excludes2 — not included here
The conditions below are not part of W20.0XXA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, W20.0XXA and the excluded code may both be reported.
- asphyxiation due to cave-in (T71.21)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W20-W49
The conditions below can never be reported together with W20.0XXA 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 W20
The conditions below can never be reported together with W20.0XXA on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Code first — inherited from W20
The underlying condition below must be sequenced before W20.0XXA. W20.0XXA describes a manifestation and cannot be the principal or first-listed diagnosis.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from W20.0
The conditions below are not part of W20.0XXA, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, W20.0XXA and the excluded code may both be reported.
- asphyxiation due to cave-in (T71.21)
How long has W20.0XXA existed?
W20.0XXA 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.