Billable / Specific Code
ICD-10-CM W21.81 is the diagnosis code for Striking against or struck by football helmet. This code falls under the section "Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces" within Chapter 20 — External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99). It is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.
Always refer to the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List for complete coding guidelines. Ensure documentation supports the specificity of the code selected. When in doubt, consult a certified medical coder or the latest CMS guidelines.
Understanding where W21.81 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
Yes, W21.81 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
W21.81 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Striking against or struck by football helmet". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
The parent code of W21.81 is W21.8 ("Striking against or struck by other sports equipment"). W21.81 provides a more specific classification within this category.
W21.81 is located in Section W20-W49 — "Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces" within Chapter 20 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Use W21.81 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Striking against or struck by football helmet" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.
The ICD-10-CM code for Striking against or struck by football helmet is W21.81.
Yes, W21.81 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.
W21.81 is in Chapter 20 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Yes, W21.81 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.