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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV26.5

V26.5

Billable

Motorcycle passenger injured in collision with other nonmotor vehicle in traffic accident

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 V26.5 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of motorcycle passenger injured in collision with other nonmotor vehicle in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V26.5 is used to classify injuries sustained by a motorcycle passenger involved in a traffic accident where the collision occurs with a nonmotor vehicle, such as a bicycle, pedestrian, or animal. This code is crucial for capturing the external causes of morbidity and mortality associated with motorcycle accidents, particularly in urban settings where interactions with nonmotorized vehicles are common. Accurate coding of this scenario is essential for public health data collection, injury prevention strategies, and resource allocation. Documentation should include details about the nature of the collision, the type of nonmotor vehicle involved, and the specific injuries sustained by the passenger. This code helps in understanding the dynamics of motorcycle-related injuries and informs safety regulations and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing such incidents.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in documentation quality regarding the type of nonmotor vehicle involved.
  • Need for precise details about the circumstances of the accident.
  • Potential for confusion with other motorcycle-related codes.
  • Inconsistent reporting practices across different healthcare settings.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident details.
  • Misclassification of the type of vehicle involved.
  • Failure to specify the passenger's injuries.
  • Inconsistent coding practices among coders.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency department notes should clearly document the mechanism of injury, type of collision, and any immediate interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with trauma after a motorcycle accident involving a pedestrian or bicycle.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant details about the accident are captured to support the use of V26.5.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports and trauma assessments must detail the injuries sustained and the context of the accident.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma cases involving motorcycle passengers with complex injuries from collisions with nonmotor vehicles.

Billing Considerations

Accurate coding is critical for trauma registries and quality improvement initiatives.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V26.5 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, external cause codes should be used in conjunction with the appropriate injury codes
  • 5 should be reported only when the motorcycle passenger's injuries are documented and the collision with a nonmotor vehicle is clearly established

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V26.5 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99284CPT Code

Emergency department visit, high severity

Clinical Scenario

Used when a motorcycle passenger presents with significant injuries requiring immediate care.

Documentation Requirements

Detailed documentation of the patient's condition, treatment provided, and any consultations.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine specialists should ensure that the visit is coded accurately based on the severity of the injuries.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of external causes of injuries, including motorcycle accidents. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury patterns and facilitates targeted public health interventions.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of external causes of injuries, including motorcycle accidents. This specificity aids in better tracking of injury patterns and facilitates targeted public health interventions.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be documented to use V26.5 accurately?

Documentation should include the type of nonmotor vehicle involved in the collision, the nature of the injuries sustained by the motorcycle passenger, and a clear description of the accident circumstances.