W26.9XXS — Contact with unspecified sharp object(s), sequela
Is W26.9XXS billable?
Yes, but W26.9XXS is an unspecified code. W26.9XXS is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, W26.9XXS 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 W26.9XXS — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
W26.9XXS at a glance
| Code | W26.9XXS |
|---|---|
| Description | Contact with unspecified sharp object(s), 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 W26.9XXS?
In W26.9XXS, the 7th character S means sequela. The 7th character is required for W26.9XXS to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
How is W26.9XXS listed in the External Cause Index?
The External Cause of Injuries Index lists these routes under W26.9, the nearest indexed parent of W26.9XXS. This is a separate index from the Alphabetic Index and is where external cause codes are looked up.
- Contact › with › sharp object (accidental)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from W20-W49
The conditions below can never be reported together with W26.9XXS 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 W26
The conditions below are not part of W26.9XXS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, W26.9XXS and the excluded code may both be reported.
- sharp object(s) embedded in skin (W45.-)
How long has W26.9XXS existed?
W26.9XXS first appears in FY2018 (FY2017 is not available, so it may have appeared then).
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.