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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV55.7

V55.7

Billable

Person on outside of pick-up truck or van injured in collision with railway train or railway vehicle in traffic accident

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

Code Description

ICD-10 V55.7 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of person on outside of pick-up truck or van injured in collision with railway train or railway vehicle in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V55.7 is used to classify injuries sustained by individuals who are positioned on the exterior of a pick-up truck or van during a collision with a railway train or railway vehicle. This code is particularly relevant in traffic accident scenarios where the individual is not inside the vehicle but rather exposed to the external environment. Such incidents often result in severe injuries due to the significant mass and speed of trains compared to standard vehicles. Common injuries may include traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and soft tissue injuries. Accurate coding of this scenario is crucial for understanding the epidemiology of such accidents, facilitating appropriate treatment, and ensuring proper resource allocation for public health initiatives aimed at reducing such incidents.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Determining the exact position of the person at the time of the accident.
  • Differentiating between injuries sustained from the vehicle versus the train.
  • Understanding the context of the accident (e.g., was the vehicle stopped or moving?).
  • Documenting the external cause accurately to reflect the circumstances of the injury.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inaccurate documentation of the accident scene.
  • Failure to specify the type of vehicle involved.
  • Misclassification of the injury mechanism (e.g., train vs. vehicle).
  • Inadequate detail in the medical record regarding the patient's position.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency departments must document the mechanism of injury, the patient's position, and any immediate interventions performed.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with trauma after being struck by a train while on the exterior of a vehicle.

Billing Considerations

Consider the need for trauma activation protocols and the potential for multi-system injuries.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Detailed surgical notes should include the mechanism of injury and any associated injuries.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Trauma cases involving severe injuries from train collisions.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all injuries are documented, as multiple traumas may require complex surgical interventions.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V55.7 When
  • Follow the official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the external cause code is reported in conjunction with the appropriate injury codes
  • The external cause code should be sequenced correctly to reflect the circumstances leading to the injury

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V55.7 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99283CPT Code

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

Clinical Scenario

Used for initial evaluation of a patient with injuries from a train collision.

Documentation Requirements

Document the patient's condition, mechanism of injury, and treatment provided.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine providers should ensure thorough documentation to support the level of service billed.

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, improving data accuracy and facilitating better public health tracking of injuries related to train collisions.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

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

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

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

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 support the use of code V55.7?

Document the patient's position at the time of the accident, the type of vehicle involved, and the circumstances leading to the injury. Include details about the collision and any immediate medical interventions.