2025 ICD-10-CM code W00.0
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Accidents - Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls (W00-W19) 20. External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99) Feed
Fall on same level due to ice and snow.
Use the appropriate 7th character to specify the episode of care (A= initial encounter, D= subsequent encounter, or S= sequela).
The medical necessity for the use of this code is established by the fact that the fall occurred due to an external cause (ice and snow) and resulted in an injury or other adverse effect requiring medical attention.
Clinicians should document the circumstances of the fall, the injuries sustained, and any contributing factors.They should also assess and treat any resulting injuries.
- 20. External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99)
- Accidents (V00-X58)Other external causes of accidental injury (W00-X58)Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls (W00-W19)
In simple words: A fall on the same level caused by slipping on ice or snow.
Fall on the same level due to ice and snow. This code describes the circumstance causing an injury, not the nature of the injury.It applies to a pedestrian on foot falling (slipping) on ice and snow.
Example 1: A patient slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk, sustaining a wrist fracture. The appropriate code is W00.0, with an additional code from Chapter 19 describing the wrist fracture (e.g., S62)., A patient walking across a snow-covered parking lot fell, resulting in a concussion. The correct code is W00.0, along with an additional code for the concussion from Chapter 19 (e.g., S06.0X)., An individual slipped on ice while walking their dog, suffering a sprained ankle. W00.0 is the correct code, supplemented with an additional code from Chapter 19 to specify the ankle sprain (e.g., S93.4).
Documentation should include the location of the fall, the surface the patient fell on (ice or snow), and the specific injuries sustained.
** Excludes1: fall on (from) ice and snow involving pedestrian conveyance (V00.-), fall from stairs and steps not due to ice and snow (W10.-). Excludes2: at risk for fall (history of fall) Z91.81, fall (in) (from) burning building (X00.-), fall into fire (X00-X04, X08).
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Primary Care, Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Off Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Home, Other Place of Service.