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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV43.6

V43.6

Billable

Car passenger injured in collision with car, pick-up truck or van in traffic accident

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

Code Description

ICD-10 V43.6 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of car passenger injured in collision with car, pick-up truck or van in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V43.6 is used to classify injuries sustained by passengers in vehicles involved in traffic accidents, specifically collisions with cars, pick-up trucks, or vans. This code is essential for capturing the external cause of morbidity and mortality related to vehicular accidents, which are a significant public health concern. Accurate coding of such incidents helps in understanding the epidemiology of traffic-related injuries, guiding preventive measures, and allocating resources for trauma care. Clinical scenarios may include a passenger sustaining injuries such as fractures, lacerations, or concussions due to the impact of a collision. Documentation should include details about the nature of the accident, the type of vehicle involved, and the specific injuries sustained to ensure proper coding and facilitate effective treatment planning.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Need for precise documentation of the accident details.
  • Differentiation between types of vehicles involved.
  • Potential for multiple injuries requiring additional codes.
  • Variability in injury severity and associated treatments.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident circumstances.
  • Misclassification of the type of vehicle involved.
  • Failure to capture all injuries sustained.
  • Inconsistent coding practices across different healthcare providers.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency department notes should include a detailed account of the accident, mechanism of injury, and initial assessment findings.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with trauma after a vehicular collision, including head injuries, fractures, and soft tissue injuries.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all injuries are documented and coded, as multiple injuries may require additional codes.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Operative reports must detail the injuries sustained, surgical interventions performed, and any complications arising from the accident.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients requiring surgical intervention due to severe injuries from a traffic accident.

Billing Considerations

Accurate coding of the mechanism of injury is crucial for trauma registries and quality improvement initiatives.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V43.6 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, external cause codes should be used in conjunction with the appropriate injury codes
  • It is essential to report the external cause code to provide context for the injuries sustained
  • The code should be reported in the secondary position following the primary diagnosis code for the injury

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V43.6 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 a traffic accident.

Documentation Requirements

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

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine providers should ensure that all relevant injuries are documented.

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 quality for public health surveillance and research. V43.6 provides a clear classification for injuries sustained by passengers in specific vehicle types, enhancing the ability to analyze traffic-related morbidity and mortality.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of external causes of injuries, improving data quality for public health surveillance and research. V43.6 provides a clear classification for injuries sustained by passengers in specific vehicle types, enhancing the ability to analyze traffic-related morbidity and mortality.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement.

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 V43.6?

Use V43.6 when coding for injuries sustained by a passenger in a car, pick-up truck, or van involved in a traffic accident. Ensure that the documentation supports the mechanism of injury and the type of vehicle involved.