W50
Non-Billable

Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person?

ICD-10-CM W50 is the diagnosis code for Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person. This code falls under the section "Exposure to animate mechanical forces" within Chapter 20 — External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for W50

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as W50. They are mutually exclusive:

  • assault by bodily force (Y04)
  • struck by objects (W20-W22)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where W50 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Current CodeW50 — Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person
Sub-Codes 5 entries
W50.0Accidental hit or strike by another personBillableW50.1Accidental kick by another personBillableW50.2Accidental twist by another personBillableW50.3Accidental bite by another personBillableW50.4Accidental scratch by another personBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is W50 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, W50 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does W50 mean?

W50 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is W50 in?

W50 is located in Section W50-W64 — "Exposure to animate mechanical forces" within Chapter 20 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of W50?

W50 has 5 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: W50.0, W50.1, W50.2, W50.3, W50.4.

When should I use W50?

Use W50 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person?

The ICD-10-CM code for Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person is W50.

Can W50 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, W50 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is W50 in?

W50 is in Chapter 20 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from W50?

Type 1 Excludes for W50 include: assault by bodily force (Y04); struck by objects (W20-W22).

Is W50 valid for 2026?

Yes, W50 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousW49.9Exposure to other inanimate mechanical forcesNext →W50.0Accidental hit or strike by another person
Code Details
W50
Accidental hit, strike, kick, twist, bite or scratch by another person
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
20 — External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99)
W50-W64 — Exposure to animate mechanical forces
2026 ICD-10-CM