2025 ICD-10-CM code V90.3

Drowning and submersion resulting from falling or jumping from a crushed watercraft.

This code should always be used in conjunction with codes from other chapters to accurately reflect the nature and extent of injuries sustained.Refer to the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines for complete instructions.

Medical necessity is established by the need for emergency care and treatment following a drowning incident resulting from a watercraft accident.Documentation should support the direct link between the accident and the resulting medical interventions.

The clinical responsibility involves assessing the patient's condition, providing appropriate medical care, and documenting the incident accurately for billing and legal purposes. This may include resuscitation, stabilization, and treatment of any injuries sustained.

IMPORTANT Consider additional codes to specify: Airbag injury (W22.1); Type of street or road (Y92.4-); Use of cellular telephone and other electronic equipment at the time of the transport accident (Y93.C-).Excludes: Agricultural vehicles in stationary use or maintenance (W31.-); Assault by crashing of motor vehicle (Y03.-); Automobile or motorcycle in stationary use or maintenance; Crashing of motor vehicle, undetermined intent (Y32); Intentional self-harm by crashing of motor vehicle (X82); Transport accidents due to cataclysm (X34-X38); Civilian water transport accident involving military watercraft (V94.81-); Fall into water not from watercraft (W16.-); Military watercraft accident in military or war operations (Y36.0-, Y37.0-); Water-transport-related drowning or submersion without accident to watercraft (V92.-)

In simple words: This code is for when someone drowns or is submerged in water after falling or jumping from a boat or other water vehicle that has been damaged or broken.

This code classifies drowning and submersion incidents where the individual falls or jumps from a watercraft that has been crushed.It's crucial to note that this code is used secondarily to a code from another chapter specifying the nature of the injury (most often Chapter 19, Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)).Additional codes from Chapter 20 may be used to detail the cause of the condition.

Example 1: A person falls from a speedboat that has collided with a rock, resulting in the boat capsizing and the individual drowning., A passenger on a ferry that is hit by a larger vessel suffers fatal injuries and drowns as the ferry sinks., An individual jumps from a damaged, partially submerged fishing boat after a storm, and subsequently drowns.

Detailed documentation is required, including the circumstances of the accident (e.g., type of watercraft, cause of damage, weather conditions), the location of the event, attempts at rescue, and the patient's condition upon retrieval.Complete medical records of treatment and outcome are also essential.

** Accurate coding requires careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding the drowning.Incorrect coding can lead to claim denials.Consult with a medical coding specialist if there is any uncertainty about the appropriate code assignment.

  • Payment Status: Active
  • Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Forensic Medicine
  • Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital
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