2025 ICD-10-CM code W51
(Active) Effective Date: N/A External causes of morbidity - Exposure to animate mechanical forces 20 Feed
Accidental striking against or bumped into by another person.
Applicable 7th character modifiers are A (initial encounter), D (subsequent encounter), and S (sequela).
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a clinically significant injury or condition resulting from the accidental striking. The documentation should support the need for the evaluation and treatment provided. As per general ICD-10-CM guidelines, external cause codes are not required to be reported unless mandated by state law or specific payer policies. However, reporting external cause codes can provide valuable data for injury research and prevention.
The clinical responsibility for this code involves documenting the circumstances of the accident, assessing the injuries, providing necessary medical care, and accurately coding and documenting the encounter.
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- Accidents (V00-X58), Other external causes of accidental injury (W00-X58), Exposure to animate mechanical forces (W50-W64)
In simple words: The code W51 describes an accidental injury caused by bumping into another person.
Accidental striking against or bumped into by another person. Excludes1: assault by striking against or bumping into by another person (Y04.2), fall due to collision with another person (W03).
Example 1: A patient is walking down a crowded hallway and accidentally bumps into another person, resulting in a bruised shoulder., Two individuals collide while playing a sport, leading to one of them sustaining a minor concussion., A person is inadvertently struck by another person during a crowded event, resulting in a twisted ankle.
Documentation should include the circumstances of the accident, the specific body part or region affected, the nature of the injury (e.g., bruise, sprain, fracture), and any associated symptoms or complications.It is important to clearly document that the event was accidental and unintentional to distinguish it from assault (Y04.2).If there was a fall involved, ensure that the proper fall code (e.g., W03) is used instead of W51.
** For accurate coding and reporting, refer to current ICD-10-CM guidelines and any applicable state or payer-specific regulations.
- Specialties:Emergency medicine, primary care, sports medicine, orthopedics, other specialties depending on the nature of the injury
- Place of Service:Various places of service depending on the context of the accidental striking: "Office", "Home", "Street", "Place of Employment", "Recreational areas", "Emergency Room", "Other Place of Service".