2025 ICD-10-CM code X34
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A External causes of morbidity - Accidents (V00-X58) > Other external causes of accidental injury (W00-X58) > Exposure to forces of nature (X30-X39) Chapter 20: External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99) Feed
Earthquake.This code is used to classify injuries or other health conditions resulting from an earthquake.
No specific modifiers are associated with this code.Modifiers might be applicable to other codes associated with the treatment of injuries stemming from the earthquake.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of injuries or conditions directly resulting from the earthquake and requiring medical attention.This would include treatment for fractures, lacerations, burns, and other physical trauma, as well as psychological conditions such as PTSD or anxiety.
The clinical responsibility depends on the specific injuries or conditions resulting from the earthquake.This could involve physicians from various specialties, such as emergency medicine, orthopedics, trauma surgery, etc.The clinical team will also encompass nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare professionals.
- Chapter 20: External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99)
- Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity; Accidents (V00-X58); Other external causes of accidental injury (W00-X58); Exposure to forces of nature (X30-X39)
In simple words: This code is for health problems caused by an earthquake. It's added to the main code describing the injury or illness, not used as the main reason for the visit.
This ICD-10-CM code, X34, classifies injuries or other health conditions resulting from an earthquake.It is always used as a secondary code, never as the principal diagnosis.The seventh character (A, D, or S) must be appended to specify the encounter (initial, subsequent, or sequela).This code should be used in conjunction with codes from other chapters specifying the nature of the injury or condition.Excludes tidal waves (tsunamis) caused by an earthquake (X37.41).
Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency department with a fractured femur and multiple lacerations after their home collapsed during an earthquake.ICD-10 codes for the fractures and lacerations would be the principal diagnoses, with X34 as a secondary code to indicate the cause., A patient experiences a myocardial infarction (heart attack) while trapped under debris following an earthquake.The heart attack would be the principal diagnosis, with X34 as a secondary code to indicate the stress and exertion as a contributing factor., A patient develops PTSD following an earthquake.The PTSD diagnosis would be the principal diagnosis, with X34 coded secondarily to specify the causative event.
Detailed documentation of the earthquake event itself, the specific injuries or conditions sustained by the patient, the treatment provided, and any relevant history.Imaging reports (X-rays, CT scans) and other clinical assessments would be necessary to support diagnoses.
** This code is part of Chapter 20, which is used to provide supplementary information regarding the cause of a condition. It is not intended to replace or be the primary diagnosis code.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery, Cardiology, Psychiatry, and other specialties depending on the nature of the resulting injuries and conditions.
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office, Other Place of Service (depending on the location and nature of care)