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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV54.6

V54.6

Billable

Passenger in pick-up truck or van injured in collision with heavy transport vehicle or bus in traffic accident

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

Code Description

ICD-10 V54.6 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of passenger in pick-up truck or van injured in collision with heavy transport vehicle or bus in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V54.6 is used to classify injuries sustained by passengers in pick-up trucks or vans involved in collisions with heavy transport vehicles or buses during traffic accidents. This code is essential for capturing the external cause of morbidity and mortality related to vehicular accidents, which are a significant public health concern. In clinical practice, this code is often utilized when documenting cases of trauma resulting from such collisions, which can lead to a variety of injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Accurate coding is crucial for effective treatment planning, resource allocation, and epidemiological tracking of traffic-related injuries. It is important for healthcare providers to document the circumstances of the accident thoroughly, including the type of vehicle involved and the nature of the injuries sustained, to ensure appropriate coding and billing.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Need for precise documentation of the vehicle type involved in the accident.
  • Differentiation between various types of collisions (e.g., with heavy transport vehicles vs. other vehicles).
  • Potential for multiple external cause codes to be applicable in a single incident.
  • Variability in injury severity and types of injuries sustained.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident details.
  • Misclassification of the type of vehicle involved.
  • Failure to link the external cause code to the primary diagnosis appropriately.
  • Inconsistent coding practices among different coders.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency department notes should include details of the accident, patient demographics, and injury specifics.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with trauma after being a passenger in a pick-up truck or van involved in a collision with a bus.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all injuries are documented, including any secondary injuries that may arise from the accident.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed operative reports and trauma assessments must include the mechanism of injury and vehicle specifics.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma cases involving multiple injuries from a collision with a heavy transport vehicle.

Billing Considerations

Consider the potential for multiple injuries and the need for comprehensive coding to reflect the full extent of trauma.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V54.6 When
  • According to the ICD
  • CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, external cause codes should be used in conjunction with the primary diagnosis code to provide a complete picture of the patient's condition
  • It is essential to report the external cause code to the highest level of specificity available

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V54.6 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99284CPT Code

Emergency department visit, high severity

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient presents to the emergency department with injuries from a traffic accident.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must support the level of service, including details of the accident and injuries.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine providers should ensure that all relevant details are captured to justify the visit level.

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, improving data accuracy and facilitating better public health tracking of traffic-related injuries.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of external causes of injuries, improving data accuracy and facilitating better public health tracking of traffic-related injuries.

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

When should I use code V54.6?

Use code V54.6 when documenting injuries sustained by a passenger in a pick-up truck or van involved in a collision with a heavy transport vehicle or bus during a traffic accident. Ensure that the documentation supports the specifics of the incident.