V90.1 – Drowning and submersion due to watercraft sinking

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Water transport accidents

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code V90.1

Code: V90.1 (claims format: V901)
Description: Drowning and submersion due to watercraft sinking
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 20. External causes of morbidity (V00-Y99)
Block: V90-V94 Water transport accidents
Parent codes: V90

Billable codes under V90.1

V90.1 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

V90.10 – Drowning and submersion due to merchant ship sinkingHeader (more codes below)
V90.11 – Drowning and submersion due to passenger ship sinkingHeader (more codes below)
V90.12 – Drowning and submersion due to fishing boat sinkingHeader (more codes below)
V90.13 – Drowning and submersion due to other powered watercraft sinkingHeader (more codes below)
V90.14 – Drowning and submersion due to sailboat sinkingHeader (more codes below)
V90.15 – Drowning and submersion due to canoe or kayak sinkingHeader (more codes below)
V90.16 – Drowning and submersion due to (nonpowered) inflatable craft sinkingHeader (more codes below)
V90.18 – Drowning and submersion due to other unpowered watercraft sinkingHeader (more codes below)
V90.19 – Drowning and submersion due to unspecified watercraft sinkingHeader (more codes below)

7th character values

Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care (use placeholder X for empty positions).

Character	Meaning
`A`	initial encounter
`D`	subsequent encounter
`S`	sequela

Notes inherited from parent codes

Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.

V90 – Drowning and submersion due to accident to watercraft

Excludes1 (not coded here):

civilian water transport accident involving military watercraft (V94.81-)
fall into water not from watercraft (W16.-)
military watercraft accident in military or war operations (Y36.0-, Y37.0-)
water-transport-related drowning or submersion without accident to watercraft (V92.-)

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category V90

Related codes in V90

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code V90.1?

V90.1 is the ICD-10-CM code for drowning and submersion due to watercraft sinking, in the block V90-V94 (Water transport accidents).

Is V90.1 a billable code?

No. V90.1 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does V90.1 belong to?

It belongs to category V90 – Drowning and submersion due to accident to watercraft.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.