W26.2XXA vs W45
W26.2XXA (Contact with edge of stiff paper, initial encounter) compared with W45 (Foreign body or object entering through skin), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).
Can these codes be reported together?
Yes, when both are documented. W26.2XXA carries an Excludes2 note covering W45: “sharp object(s) embedded in skin (W45.-)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Yes, when both are documented. W45 carries an Excludes2 note covering W26.2XXA: “contact with other sharp object(s) (W26.-)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Side by side
| W26.2XXAContact with edge of stiff paper, initial encounter | W45Foreign body or object entering through skin | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Non-billable header Report instead: W45.0XXA, W45.0XXD, W45.0XXS, W45.3XXA, W45.3XXD |
| Classification | V00-Y99 — External Causes of Morbidity (V00-Y99) | V00-Y99 — External Causes of Morbidity (V00-Y99) |
| Definition | Contact with edge of stiff paper, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (W26.2A). | Foreign body or object entering through skin is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (W45). |
| 7th character | The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W26 | The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W45 |
| Includes | Paper cut | foreign body or object embedded in skin nail embedded in skin |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources