ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV49.6

V49.6

Billable

Unspecified car occupant 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 V49.6 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified car occupant injured in collision with other and unspecified motor vehicles in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

V49.6 is used to classify injuries sustained by an unspecified car occupant involved in a collision with other vehicles or unspecified motor vehicles during a traffic accident. This code is particularly relevant when the specifics of the incident are not fully documented or when the details of the vehicle types involved are unclear. It encompasses a range of potential injuries, from minor to severe, and is crucial for understanding the impact of traffic accidents on public health. Accurate coding is essential for tracking injury patterns, resource allocation, and implementing preventive measures in traffic safety. This code is often used in emergency departments, trauma centers, and public health reporting to capture the burden of traffic-related injuries on healthcare systems.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Ambiguity in documentation regarding the specifics of the accident.
  • Variability in injury severity and types that may not be specified.
  • Potential overlap with other external cause codes.
  • Need for precise linkage to the primary diagnosis for accurate billing.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident details.
  • Failure to specify the type of vehicle involved.
  • Incorrect linkage of the external cause code to the primary diagnosis.
  • Use of the code without sufficient clinical evidence of injury.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency departments must document the mechanism of injury, vehicle types involved, and patient condition upon arrival.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with injuries from traffic accidents, including fractures, lacerations, and concussions.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant details of the accident are captured to avoid ambiguity in coding.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Trauma documentation should include detailed descriptions of injuries, surgical interventions, and the circumstances of the accident.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma patients requiring surgical intervention due to severe injuries from traffic collisions.

Billing Considerations

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

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V49.6 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, external cause codes should be used in conjunction with the appropriate injury codes
  • 6 should be reported only when the specifics of the accident are not available
  • It is essential to ensure that the external cause code is linked to the primary diagnosis to support the medical necessity of the services provided

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V49.6 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99283CPT Code

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

Clinical Scenario

Used for patients presenting with injuries from traffic accidents.

Documentation Requirements

Document the patient's condition, treatment provided, and any consultations.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine specialists should ensure thorough documentation to support the visit level.

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 of injuries, improving data accuracy and facilitating better public health reporting. V49.6 reflects the need for specificity in documenting traffic-related injuries.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed coding of external causes of injuries, improving data accuracy and facilitating better public health reporting. V49.6 reflects the need for specificity in documenting traffic-related injuries.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed coding of external causes of injuries, improving data accuracy and facilitating better public health reporting. V49.6 reflects the need for specificity in documenting traffic-related injuries.

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 V49.6?

Use V49.6 when a car occupant is injured in a traffic accident, and the specifics of the collision are not documented or are unclear.