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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV09.20

V09.20

Billable

Pedestrian injured in traffic accident involving unspecified motor vehicles

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

Code Description

ICD-10 V09.20 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of pedestrian injured in traffic accident involving unspecified motor vehicles.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V09.20 is used to classify injuries sustained by pedestrians involved in traffic accidents with unspecified motor vehicles. This code is critical for capturing the external cause of morbidity and mortality related to pedestrian accidents, which are significant public health concerns. Pedestrian injuries can range from minor bruises to severe trauma, including fractures, head injuries, and even fatalities. Accurate coding of these incidents is essential for epidemiological tracking, resource allocation, and injury prevention strategies. In clinical practice, this code is often used in emergency departments and trauma centers where patients present with injuries resulting from being struck by vehicles. Proper documentation of the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the type of vehicle involved and the location of the incident, is crucial for accurate coding and subsequent analysis of pedestrian safety measures.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in documentation quality regarding the circumstances of the accident.
  • Need for specificity in identifying the type of motor vehicle involved.
  • Potential for confusion with other external cause codes related to traffic accidents.
  • Requirement for comprehensive details about the accident scene and patient condition.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident circumstances.
  • Failure to specify the type of motor vehicle involved.
  • Inconsistent coding practices among different coders.
  • Misalignment between clinical documentation and coded data.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Detailed documentation of the mechanism of injury, including the type of vehicle and the circumstances of the accident.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with injuries from being struck by a vehicle, often requiring immediate assessment and intervention.

Billing Considerations

Consideration of the patient's pre-existing conditions that may affect injury severity and treatment.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive trauma documentation, including injury patterns, surgical interventions, and post-operative care.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Severe injuries requiring surgical intervention, such as fractures or internal injuries from pedestrian accidents.

Billing Considerations

Accurate coding of associated injuries and the need for multidisciplinary care.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V09.20 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, external cause codes should be used in conjunction with the appropriate injury codes
  • It is essential to document the cause of the injury, the location of the accident, and the activity of the pedestrian at the time of the incident
  • External cause codes should be reported in the secondary position after the primary diagnosis code

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V09.20 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99283CPT Code

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

Clinical Scenario

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

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include the nature of the injuries and the circumstances of the accident.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine specialists 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 detailed coding of external causes of injuries, including pedestrian accidents. This has improved the ability to track and analyze pedestrian injury data, leading to better public health initiatives and safety measures.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed coding of external causes of injuries, including pedestrian accidents. This has improved the ability to track and analyze pedestrian injury data, leading to better public health initiatives and safety measures.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more detailed coding of external causes of injuries, including pedestrian accidents. This has improved the ability to track and analyze pedestrian injury data, leading to better public health initiatives and safety measures.

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 V09.20?

You should document the specifics of the accident, including the type of vehicle involved, the location of the incident, and the patient's condition upon arrival. This information is crucial for accurate coding and billing.