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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV26.9

V26.9

Billable

Unspecified motorcycle rider injured in collision with other nonmotor vehicle in traffic accident

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

Code Description

ICD-10 V26.9 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified motorcycle rider injured in collision with other nonmotor vehicle in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V26.9 is used to classify injuries sustained by motorcycle riders involved in collisions with nonmotor vehicles during traffic accidents. This code is particularly relevant in scenarios where the specifics of the collision are not fully documented or when the details of the nonmotor vehicle involved are unspecified. Common examples include accidents involving pedestrians, bicycles, or animals. Accurate coding is essential for understanding the epidemiology of motorcycle-related injuries and for implementing public health strategies aimed at reducing traffic-related morbidity and mortality. The use of this code can help healthcare providers and public health officials track trends in motorcycle accidents and develop targeted interventions to improve safety for riders and other road users.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Lack of specificity in documentation regarding the type of nonmotor vehicle involved.
  • Variability in reporting practices across different healthcare settings.
  • Potential for misclassification if additional details are not captured.
  • Need for comprehensive understanding of external cause coding guidelines.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident details.
  • Failure to capture the specific circumstances of the collision.
  • Inconsistent coding practices among different coders.
  • Potential for upcoding if the severity of injuries is not accurately reflected.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency departments must document the mechanism of injury, including the type of collision and any contributing factors such as weather conditions or road conditions.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Common scenarios include motorcycle riders colliding with pedestrians or cyclists, where the specifics of the nonmotor vehicle may not be fully documented.

Billing Considerations

Emergency physicians should ensure that all relevant details are captured in the medical record to support accurate coding.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Trauma surgeons need detailed documentation of the injuries sustained, the mechanism of injury, and any surgical interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma cases often involve multiple injuries from motorcycle accidents, necessitating thorough documentation of all injuries and their causes.

Billing Considerations

Trauma documentation should include specifics about the collision to ensure accurate coding and to support quality improvement initiatives.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V26.9 When
  • According to the ICD
  • CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, external cause codes should be used in conjunction with the appropriate injury codes
  • It is essential to report the external cause code to provide context for the injury and to capture the circumstances surrounding the event

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V26.9 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 rider presents to the emergency department with serious injuries from a collision.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include details of the injury, treatment provided, and any consultations.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine specialists should ensure that the mechanism of injury is clearly documented.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed and specific coding of external causes of injuries, including motorcycle accidents. This has improved the ability to track and analyze injury patterns and outcomes, ultimately aiding in public health initiatives.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed and specific coding of external causes of injuries, including motorcycle accidents. This has improved the ability to track and analyze injury patterns and outcomes, ultimately aiding in public health initiatives.

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

When should I use V26.9 instead of a more specific code?

Use V26.9 when the details of the collision with a nonmotor vehicle are unspecified or when the specific type of nonmotor vehicle is not documented. If more specific information is available, opt for the appropriate code that describes the incident.