2025 ICD-10-CM code W53.2
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Accidents - Exposure to animate mechanical forces (W50-W64) 20 External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99) Feed
Contact with squirrel.
Medical necessity is established by the resulting injury, illness, or condition caused by the contact with the squirrel. For example, treatment for a bite wound, infection, or allergic reaction would be considered medically necessary.
The clinician's responsibility is to document the nature of the contact with the squirrel (e.g., bite, scratch, exposure to saliva, feces, or urine) and the resulting injury or condition.
- 20 External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99)
- Accidents (V00-X58)Other external causes of accidental injury (W00-X58)Exposure to animate mechanical forces (W50-W64)
In simple words: Injury or other health problem caused by contact with a squirrel.
Contact with squirrel, including contact with its saliva, feces, or urine.
Example 1: A patient presents with a squirrel bite to the hand, resulting in a puncture wound and localized infection. The code W53.2 is used to indicate the cause of the injury, along with a code for the infection., A child develops a rash after playing in an area with squirrel droppings. The rash is diagnosed as an allergic reaction to the squirrel urine or feces. The code W53.2 would be used as a secondary diagnosis to the allergic reaction diagnosis., A park ranger reports being scratched by a squirrel while attempting to rescue it from a trap. This scratch results in a minor skin laceration. The code W53.2 is used to describe the cause of the injury along with the code for the laceration.
Documentation should specify the circumstances of the contact with the squirrel, the resulting injury or condition, and any related signs and symptoms.