W22.10XA — Striking against or struck by unspecified automobile airbag, initial encounter
Is W22.10XA billable?
Yes, but W22.10XA is an unspecified code. W22.10XA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, W22.10XA 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 W22.10XA — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
W22.10XA at a glance
| Code | W22.10XA |
|---|---|
| Description | Striking against or struck by unspecified automobile airbag, 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 W22.10XA?
In W22.10XA, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for W22.10XA to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
How is W22.10XA listed in the External Cause Index?
The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under W22.10, the nearest indexed parent of W22.10XA. This is a separate index from the Alphabetic Index and is where external cause codes are looked up.
- Striking against › airbag
- Struckby › airbag (accidentally)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W20-W49
The conditions below can never be reported together with W22.10XA 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 W22
The conditions below can never be reported together with W22.10XA on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
- striking against or struck by object with subsequent fall (W18.09)
How long has W22.10XA existed?
W22.10XA 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.