W16.321 – Fall into other water striking bottom causing drowning and submersion

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code W16.321

Code: W16.321 (claims format: W16321)
Description: Fall into other water striking bottom causing drowning and submersion
Short description: Fall into oth water striking bottom causing drown
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: W00-W19 Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls
Parent codes: W16 › W16.3 › W16.32

Billable codes under W16.321

W16.321 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

7th character values

Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care.

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

Notes for W16.321

Excludes1 (not coded here):

drowning and submersion while in other water without fall (W73)

Notes inherited from parent codes

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

W16 – Fall, jump or diving into water

Excludes1 (not coded here):

accidental non-watercraft drowning and submersion not involving fall (W65-W74)
effects of air pressure from diving (W94.-)
fall into water from watercraft (V90-V94)
hitting an object or against bottom when falling from watercraft (V94.0)

Excludes2 (not included here):

striking or hitting diving board (W21.4)

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W16

W16.3 – Fall into other water

Applicable to:

Fall into fountain
Fall into reservoir

Block W00-W19

Excludes1 (not coded here):

assault involving a fall (Y01-Y02)
fall from animal (V80.-)
fall (in) (from) machinery (in operation) (W28-W31)
fall (in) (from) transport vehicle (V01-V99)
intentional self-harm involving a fall (X80-X81)

Excludes2 (not included here):

at risk for fall (history of fall) Z91.81
fall (in) (from) burning building (X00.-)
fall into fire (X00-X04, X08)

Related codes in W16.32

W16.322 – Fall into other water striking bottom causing other injuryHeader

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code W16.321?

W16.321 is the ICD-10-CM code for fall into other water striking bottom causing drowning and submersion, in the block W00-W19 (Slipping, tripping, stumbling and falls).

Is W16.321 a billable code?

No. W16.321 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does W16.321 belong to?

It belongs to category W16 – Fall, jump or diving into water.

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.