ICD-10 W20
Non-Billable HeaderStruck by thrown, projected or falling object
About ICD-10-CM W20
ICD-10-CM code W20 represents Struck by thrown, projected or falling object. This is a non-billable header code in the External Causes of Morbidity chapter (block W20). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM W20 became effective on October 1, 2025. Non-billable codes cannot be used as a primary or secondary diagnosis on a claim, use a more specific child code instead.
Type 1 Excludes
Pure excludes, these codes can never be coded together with W20. The conditions are mutually exclusive (e.g., congenital vs acquired forms).
- falling object in machinery accident (W24, W28-W31)
- falling object in transport accident (V01-V99)
- object set in motion by explosion (W35-W40)
- object set in motion by firearm (W32-W34)
- struck by thrown sports equipment (W21.-)
Coding Notes
Code First
- any associated:
- cataclysm (X34-X39)
- lightning strike (T75.00)
Seven Chr Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W20
Medicare LCD Coverage for W20
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list W20 as a covered diagnosis.
This doesn't mean the code isn't covered, it means no MAC has issued a Local Coverage Determination naming this specific code. Coverage may still apply under National Coverage Determinations or general medical-necessity rules.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing W20.
Our payer policy database covers Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, BCBS, Humana, and Medicare Advantage plans, but W20 doesn't currently appear in any indexed policy. The code may still be covered under standard plan benefits.
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with W20
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
We don't have CPT pairings indexed for this specific code yet. Use the CPT search above to find common procedures, or check your payer's published medical policy for code-specific guidance.
Codes Adjacent To W20
Other codes in section W20-W49 (Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces).
ICD-10 W20, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code W20 billable? +
No, W20 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block W20 when submitting claims.
What codes are Type 1 Excludes for W20? +
Type 1 Excludes (never code together with W20): falling object in machinery accident (W24, W28-W31); falling object in transport accident (V01-V99); object set in motion by explosion (W35-W40)
Get the full PayerReady toolkit
Free access to CPT/ICD-10 lookup, denial appeals, fee comparator, and claim auditing with credentialing enrollment.
Start free →Run this code through our claim audit tool
Check NCCI bundling, MUE limits, and modifier logic before submission.
Try the auditor →Did this page help?
Quick signal so we know what to improve.
If you want a code reference page that doesn't exist yet, email coding@payerready.com.
Tell us what's missing or wrong: coding@payerready.com. We respond within 5 business days.
Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on June 1, 2026.
Powered by 11K CPT · 98K ICD-10 · 860K MPFS rates · 4.5M NCCI edits · 9.5M NPIs. Our data methodology · About our coding team