Is ICD-10-CM code W69 billable?

No, W69 (Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code. It must be coded to a more specific subcategory before it can be used for reimbursement.

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).

W69Not billable, use a more specific code below

Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water

In Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion (W65-W74), chapter 20: External Causes of Morbidity

3 billable codes under W69: none are a CC or MCC; none map to an HCC.

Instructional notes

Includes: conditions that are coded here

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)

Also applies, from Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion (W65-W74)

These notes sit on W65-W74 and apply to every code under it, including W69.

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)

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)

Read Section I.C.20 (page 87), 3 more topics

All codes under W69

W69 can't be used on a claim. Pick a billable code below; grey headings group them.

W69 MS-DRGs

This code does not group to an MS-DRG as a principal diagnosis.

Other codes that refer to W69

Notes on these codes point to W69.

W16.111 Excludes1: drowning and submersion while in natural body of water without fall (W69)
W16.121 Excludes1: drowning and submersion while in natural body of water without fall (W69)
W16.131 Excludes1: drowning and submersion while in natural body of water without fall (W69)
W16.611 Excludes1: drowning and submersion while in natural body of water without jumping or diving (W69)
W16.621 Excludes1: drowning and submersion while in natural body of water without jumping or diving (W69)

About the condition

Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.

Drowning

People drown when they get too much water in their lungs. You can drown in as little as an inch or two of water. Babies can drown in a sink or bathtub. Preschoolers are most likely to drown in a swimming pool. People who have seizure disorders are also at risk in the water. Drowning can happen quickly and silently.

Code history

Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.