W69
Billable

Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water

Billable / Specific Code

What is Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water?

ICD-10-CM W69 is the diagnosis code for Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water. This code falls under the section "Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion" 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.

💡 Inclusions
⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for W69

✅ This Code Includes

  • Accidental drowning and submersion while in lake
  • Accidental drowning and submersion while in open sea
  • Accidental drowning and submersion while in river
  • Accidental drowning and submersion while in stream

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as W69. They are mutually exclusive:

  • accidental drowning and submersion due to fall into natural body of water (W16.111, W16.121, W16.131)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where W69 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Current CodeW69 — Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is W69 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

Yes, W69 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What does W69 mean?

W69 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is W69 in?

W69 is located in Section W65-W74 — "Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion" within Chapter 20 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

When should I use W69?

Use W69 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water" 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 drowning and submersion while in natural water?

The ICD-10-CM code for Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water is W69.

Can W69 be used for primary diagnosis?

Yes, W69 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.

What chapter is W69 in?

W69 is in Chapter 20 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from W69?

Type 1 Excludes for W69 include: accidental drowning and submersion due to fall into natural body of water (W16.111, W16.121, W16.131).

Is W69 valid for 2026?

Yes, W69 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousW67Accidental drowning and submersion while in swimming-poolNext →W73Other specified cause of accidental non-transport drowning and submersion
Code Details
W69
Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water
Billable / Specific Code
20 — External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99)
W65-W74 — Accidental non-transport drowning and submersion
2026 ICD-10-CM