Is ICD-10-CM code W69 billable?

Yes, W69 (Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water) is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code, valid for reimbursement on HIPAA-covered transactions for FY2026.

What chapter does ICD-10-CM code W69 belong to?

W69 belongs to Chapter 20 of the ICD-10-CM tabular list: V00–Y99 (External Causes of Morbidity).

W69

Billable

ChapterV00–Y99

Rankcategory

Description

Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water

About ICD-10-CM code W69

Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water is classified in ICD-10-CM as code W69, part of V00-Y99 External Causes of Morbidity, within Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion (W65-W74). Its status is billable, meaning it is valid for reimbursement claims.

Metadata & Insights

•Billable/specific code (valid for reimbursement).
•Chapter 20: External Causes of Morbidity (V00-Y99).

W65-W74 Parent Instructions

Excludes1(Not coded here. Use a different code.)

accidental drowning and submersion due to fall into water (W16.-)
accidental drowning and submersion due to water transport accident (V90.-, V92.-)

Excludes2(Not included here. Code separately if applicable.)

accidental drowning and submersion due to cataclysm (X34-X39)

Instructional Notes

Includes

Accidental drowning and submersion while in lake
Accidental drowning and submersion while in open sea
Accidental drowning and submersion while in river
Accidental drowning and submersion while in stream

Excludes1(Not coded here. Use a different code.)

accidental drowning and submersion due to fall into natural body of water (W16.111, W16.121, W16.131)

Clinical Hierarchy

BillableHas subcodes

CH20External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99)

W65-W74Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion (W65-W74)

W69Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural waterBillable

W69.XXXAAccidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, initial encounterBillable

W69.XXXDAccidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, subsequent encounterBillable

W69.XXXSAccidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, sequelaBillable

Applicable Ancestor Context

The following parent sections contain instructions or notes that apply to W69:

blockW65-W74

Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion (W65-W74)

View context instructions

MS-DRG Classification

2026

No direct MS-DRG triggers identified.

Cross Reference

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