2025 ICD-10-CM code W53.1
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A External causes of morbidity - Exposure to animate mechanical forces (W50-W64) External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99) Feed
Contact with a rat.
Modifiers may be used to indicate the circumstances of the encounter or the treatment provided (e.g., location, extent of injuries). Consult the appropriate coding guidelines for modifier usage.
The medical necessity for coding W53.1 is established by the presence of symptoms or injuries resulting from contact with a rat. This justifies the evaluation, testing, and treatment to prevent complications.
Assessing and treating injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with a rat, such as bites, scratches, infections (e.g., leptospirosis, rat-bite fever), or allergic reactions.
In simple words: This code is used when someone has come into contact with a rat, including its saliva, droppings, or urine.A doctor will add extra details to describe whether it was the first visit (A), a follow up (D), or a long-term complication (S).
This code classifies encounters involving contact with a rat.This includes contact with saliva, feces, or urine of a rat.The seventh character (A, D, or S) should be added to specify the encounter type: A for initial encounter, D for subsequent encounter, and S for sequela.
Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency department after being bitten by a rat while working in a warehouse.The rat bite is bleeding, and the patient reports feeling pain and swelling. The physician cleans and bandages the wound, administers tetanus prophylaxis, and prescribes antibiotics to prevent infection., A child is found playing near a rat-infested area and reports having accidentally touched a rat. Although no visible injury is evident, the child shows signs of a possible allergic reaction (e.g., skin rash, itching, swelling). The physician administers antihistamines and monitors the child's symptoms., A patient presents with symptoms consistent with leptospirosis (fever, headache, muscle aches, jaundice) after exposure to contaminated water sources frequented by rats. Laboratory tests confirm the diagnosis. The physician initiates appropriate treatment with antibiotics.
* Thorough description of the encounter with the rat (e.g., bite, scratch, contact with excreta).* Details about the location and circumstances of the exposure.* Assessment of injuries or symptoms.* Treatment provided (e.g., wound cleaning, antibiotics, antihistamines).* Laboratory results (if any).
** This code is for contact with a rat, not other rodents.Consider additional codes to specify the nature of the injury (e.g., laceration, bite, infection) or illness (e.g., leptospirosis, rat-bite fever).
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Infectious Disease
- Place of Service:Office, Emergency Room - Hospital, Urgent Care Facility