Accidents

Historical Changes

• •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
• •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
• •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity

Upcoming Changes

• •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
• •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes

Implementation Guidance

• •Review all FY 2026 updates for V00-Y99 codes before implementation
• •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
• •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
• +3 more guidance items...

Key Usage Points:

• •Always use in conjunction with a primary code identifying the injury or condition.
• •Use additional character 'A' for initial encounters, 'D' for subsequent encounters, and 'S' for sequela.
• •Do not use for normal, healing surgical wounds or when no injury or external cause is reported.
• •Use place of occurrence codes to indicate where event happened.
• •Status codes denote the patient's status at the time of the health care encounter.

When to Use:

• ✓When coding an injury, poisonings, or any other condition that has an external cause.
• ✓When coding for initial, subsequent or sequela encounters related to injuries and external causes.
• ✓When the place of occurrence, activity or status of the patient is needed to fully describe the circumstances of the injury or health condition.
• ✓When coding for circumstances or problems related to military service.

When NOT to Use:

• ✗When no injury or external cause is reported.
• ✗When the patient is being seen for normal, expected healing of a surgical wound.
• ✗When the external cause is not applicable to the condition being treated.
• ✗When the place of occurrence, activity or status of the patient is not pertinent to the condition being treated.

Common Documentation Errors:

• ⚠Not providing enough detail about the cause of the injury
• ⚠Not specifying the patient's activity at the time of the event
• ⚠Not using the correct seventh character for the encounter
• ⚠Not indicating the place of occurrence