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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesV46.6

V46.6

Billable

Car passenger injured in collision with other nonmotor vehicle in traffic accident

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

Code Description

ICD-10 V46.6 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of car passenger injured in collision with other nonmotor vehicle in traffic accident.

Key Diagnostic Point:

The ICD-10 code V46.6 is used to classify injuries sustained by a car passenger involved in a traffic accident where the collision occurs with a nonmotor vehicle, such as a bicycle, pedestrian, or animal. This code is crucial for capturing the external cause of morbidity and mortality related to traffic incidents, which are significant contributors to public health concerns. Accurate coding of such incidents helps in understanding the epidemiology of traffic-related injuries, guiding preventive measures, and allocating resources effectively. Documentation should include details about the circumstances of the accident, the type of nonmotor vehicle involved, and the nature of the injuries sustained. This code is particularly relevant in emergency medicine and trauma surgery settings, where timely and precise coding can impact patient care and hospital reimbursement.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Need for precise documentation of the accident circumstances
  • Differentiation between types of nonmotor vehicles involved
  • Potential for multiple injuries requiring additional codes
  • Variability in state laws regarding traffic accidents

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the accident details
  • Failure to specify the type of nonmotor vehicle involved
  • Incorrect linkage of injuries to the external cause code
  • Misclassification of the passenger's role in the accident

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Emergency department notes must clearly describe the mechanism of injury, including the type of nonmotor vehicle involved and the circumstances of the accident.

Common Clinical Scenarios

A passenger in a car is injured when the vehicle collides with a pedestrian; documentation must specify the pedestrian's actions and the impact.

Billing Considerations

Emergency physicians should ensure that all relevant details are captured to support accurate coding and potential legal implications.

Trauma Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Trauma registries require comprehensive documentation of the injury mechanism, including the type of nonmotor vehicle and the severity of injuries.

Common Clinical Scenarios

A trauma patient presents with multiple injuries after a car collides with a bicycle; detailed descriptions of injuries and their causes are essential.

Billing Considerations

Trauma surgeons should be aware of the need for accurate coding to reflect the complexity of injuries sustained in such accidents.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use V46.6 When
  • According to the ICD
  • CM 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 injury and to follow the guidelines for sequencing these codes correctly

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use V46.6 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

99283CPT Code

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

Clinical Scenario

Used when a patient presents to the emergency department after a traffic accident.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation must include the reason for the visit, examination findings, and treatment provided.

Specialty Considerations

Emergency medicine specialists should ensure that the visit's complexity aligns with the documented injuries.

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 enabling better tracking of injury patterns related to traffic accidents.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of external causes, improving data accuracy and enabling better tracking of injury patterns related to traffic accidents.

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

What should be documented to support the use of V46.6?

Documentation should include details about the accident, the type of nonmotor vehicle involved, the passenger's injuries, and any relevant circumstances surrounding the incident.