Falls ICD-10-CM codes

Fall codes in W00 to W19 are external cause codes. They describe how an injury happened and are never the first-listed diagnosis. Code the injury first, such as a fracture or head injury, then the fall code. W19.XXXA is an unspecified fall at the initial encounter, and W19.XXXD is used for subsequent encounters while the injury is still being treated.

Use a more specific fall code when the record says how the patient fell: W18.30XA fall on the same level, W01.0XXA slipping or tripping without striking an object, W01.10XA slipping or tripping and then striking an object, W06.XXXA fall from bed, W07.XXXA fall from chair, W05.0XXA fall from a non-moving wheelchair, W10.9XXA fall on stairs, and W11.XXXA fall from a ladder. A stumble without falling is W18.40XA. Place of occurrence (Y92, such as Y92.002 home bathroom or Y92.129 nursing home), activity (Y93), and status (Y99) codes are reported once, at the initial encounter.

A fall with no injury is not coded with a W code alone. Z04.3 covers examination after an accident when no injury is found. Z91.81 (history of falling) is for a patient at risk because of past falls, and R29.6 (repeated falls) is for falls that keep happening and are being investigated. Unsteadiness on feet is R26.81 and dizziness is R42; report the cause of the falls when the provider identifies one.