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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV49.5

V49.5

Billable

Passenger injured in collision with other and unspecified motor vehicles in traffic accident

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

Code Description

ICD-10 V49.5 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of passenger injured in collision with other and unspecified motor vehicles in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V49.5 is used to classify injuries sustained by passengers involved in traffic accidents where the collision occurs with other motor vehicles or unspecified vehicles. This code is essential for capturing the external cause of morbidity and mortality related to traffic incidents, which are a significant public health concern. Passengers may experience a range of injuries, from minor bruises to severe trauma, depending on the nature of the collision. Accurate coding of these incidents is crucial for epidemiological studies, resource allocation, and injury prevention strategies. Documentation should include details about the type of vehicle involved, the circumstances of the accident, and the nature of the injuries sustained. This code is particularly relevant in emergency medicine and trauma surgery settings, where timely and precise coding can influence treatment decisions and healthcare outcomes.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in documentation quality regarding the specifics of the accident.
  • Differentiating between types of vehicles involved in the collision.
  • Need for precise details about the passenger's injuries and circumstances.
  • Potential for multiple external cause codes to be applicable.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident details.
  • Failure to specify the type of vehicle involved.
  • Incorrect linkage between the injury diagnosis and the external cause code.
  • Use of unspecified codes when more specific codes are available.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency department notes should clearly document the mechanism of injury, type of vehicle, and passenger's condition upon arrival.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with trauma after being a passenger in a vehicle collision, requiring immediate assessment and intervention.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant details are captured in the medical record to support the use of V49.5.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports and trauma assessments must detail the nature of injuries and the circumstances of the accident.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma patients admitted for surgical intervention following a motor vehicle accident.

Billing Considerations

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

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V49.5 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, external cause codes should be used in conjunction with injury diagnosis codes
  • It is essential to report the external cause code to provide context for the injury and to follow the guidelines for sequencing codes appropriately

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V49.5 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99283CPT Code

Emergency department visit, level 3

Clinical Scenario

Used when a passenger presents to the emergency department after a traffic accident.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must support the level of service provided, including history, examination, and medical decision-making.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine providers should ensure that all relevant details of the accident are documented.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed coding of external causes, improving data accuracy for traffic-related injuries. V49.5 provides a specific classification for passenger injuries, enhancing the ability to track and analyze traffic accident data.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed coding of external causes, improving data accuracy for traffic-related injuries. V49.5 provides a specific classification for passenger injuries, enhancing the ability to track and analyze traffic accident data.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement and compliance.

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 I document to support the use of V49.5?

Document the specifics of the accident, including the type of vehicle involved, the circumstances leading to the collision, and the nature of the injuries sustained by the passenger.