Billable / Specific Code
ICD-10-CM W46.1 is the diagnosis code for Contact with contaminated hypodermic needle. 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 W46.1 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
Yes, W46.1 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
W46.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Contact with contaminated hypodermic needle". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
The parent code of W46.1 is W46 ("Contact with hypodermic needle"). W46.1 provides a more specific classification within this category.
W46.1 is located in Section W20-W49 — "Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces" within Chapter 20 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Use W46.1 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Contact with contaminated hypodermic needle" 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 Contact with contaminated hypodermic needle is W46.1.
Yes, W46.1 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.
W46.1 is in Chapter 20 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Yes, W46.1 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.