Foreign body or object entering through skin
In Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (W20-W49), chapter 20: External Causes of Morbidity
9 billable codes under W45: none are a CC or MCC; none map to an HCC.
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Instructional notes
Includes: conditions that are coded here
- foreign body or object embedded in skin
- nail embedded in skin
Also applies, from Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (W20-W49)
These notes sit on W20-W49 and apply to every code under it, including W45.
Official coding guidelines
From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.
Covers how to report external cause codes (V00-Y99) describing cause, intent, place, activity, and status. They are never principal or first-listed, and reporting is voluntary unless required.
- General External Cause Coding Guidelines (page 88)
- Place of Occurrence Guideline (page 89)
- Activity Code (page 89)
- Place of Occurrence, Activity, and Status Codes Used with other External Cause Code (page 89)
- If the Reporting Format Limits the Number of External Cause Codes (page 90)
- Multiple External Cause Coding Guidelines (page 90)
- Child and Adult Abuse Guideline (page 90)
- Unknown or Undetermined Intent Guideline (page 91)
All codes under W45
W45 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.
- W45.0Nail entering through skin
- W45.0XXANail entering through skin, initial encounter
- W45.0XXDNail entering through skin, subsequent encounter
- W45.0XXSNail entering through skin, sequela
- W45.3Fishing hook entering through skin
- W45.3XXAFishing hook entering through skin, initial encounter
- W45.3XXDFishing hook entering through skin, subsequent encounter
- W45.3XXSFishing hook entering through skin, sequela
- W45.8Other foreign body or object entering through skin
- W45.8XXAOther foreign body or object entering through skin, initial encounter
- W45.8XXDOther foreign body or object entering through skin, subsequent encounter
- W45.8XXSOther foreign body or object entering through skin, sequela
W45 MS-DRGs
This code does not group to an MS-DRG as a principal diagnosis.
Other codes that refer to W45
Notes on these codes point to W45.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Foreign Bodies
If you've ever gotten a splinter or had sand in your eye, you've had experience with a foreign body. A foreign body is something that is stuck inside you but isn't supposed to be there. You may inhale or swallow a foreign body, or you may get one from an injury to almost any part of your body. Foreign bodies are more common in small children, who sometimes stick things in their mouths, ears, and noses.
Read more about foreign bodies on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.