2025 ICD-10-CM code W50.0XXA

Accidental hit or strike by another person, initial encounter.

A secondary code should always be used to describe the specific injury (e.g., contusion, abrasion, fracture) that resulted from the accidental hit or strike.Do not use this code if the event was intentional (e.g. assault).

Medical necessity is established by the nature and extent of the injury resulting from the accidental hit or strike.

The provider's responsibility includes assessing the injury, providing necessary treatment, and documenting the circumstances of the accident.A secondary code describing the specific injury resulting from the hit or strike should also be used.

In simple words: This code represents an initial visit for an injury caused by being accidentally hit or struck by another person.

The patient was accidentally hit or struck by another person.This is an initial encounter for this injury.

Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency room after being accidentally struck by another person during a sporting event.The patient sustained a contusion to the left arm. The provider documents W50.0XXA as the external cause code, along with a code for the contusion., A child is brought to their pediatrician after being accidentally hit by another child during recess.The child has a minor abrasion on their knee. W50.0XXA is used along with a code for the abrasion., A patient is seen after being accidentally hit by a coworker resulting in a sprained wrist.W50.0XXA is documented with the code for the wrist sprain.

Documentation should clearly indicate the circumstances of the event, confirming it was accidental and not an assault.The nature of the injury resulting from the incident should be thoroughly documented, including location, severity, and any associated symptoms.

** This code specifically refers to an initial encounter for an accidental hit or strike by another person. Subsequent encounters for the same injury should use a different 7th character.

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