2025 ICD-10-CM code Y04.0
(Active) Effective Date: N/A External causes of morbidity - Assault by bodily force 20 Feed
Assault by unarmed brawl or fight.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of injuries or medical conditions resulting from the assault.
Clinicians should document the specific injuries sustained, the circumstances of the assault, and any associated medical conditions.
In simple words: Injury from a fistfight or other physical altercation where no weapons were used.
Assault by unarmed brawl or fight. This code describes an injury resulting from a physical altercation between individuals without the use of weapons.
Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency department with a fractured nose and facial contusions after being involved in a fistfight., A patient reports being punched in the stomach during an altercation, resulting in abdominal pain and bruising., A patient is treated for a concussion after being kicked in the head during a brawl.
Documentation should include detailed descriptions of the injuries, the mechanism of injury, and the circumstances of the assault.Any medical treatment provided should also be documented.
** This code captures the cause of the injury, not the intent.For cases where the intent was to kill, a separate code for homicide/assault should also be used.Always ensure accurate and detailed documentation to support the use of this code.
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Primary Care, Trauma Surgery
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Urgent Care Facility