ICD-10/W15

W15 ICD 2026 Code: Fall from cliff

W15 is the authoritative medical code for Fall from cliff. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for fall from cliff (ICD-10-CM W15), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with 2026 federal coding standards.

Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

Fall from cliff is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code W15. A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission. 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). 7th character: The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code W15.

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for W15 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Excludes1 — Not Coded Here

Conditions that can never be reported with this code; the two are mutually exclusive.

  • 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

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance

Can W15 be billed directly?

No. W15 (Fall from cliff) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.

Does W15 require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code W15; A: initial encounter; D: subsequent encounter; S: sequela.

What can't be coded together with W15?

Per Excludes1 instructions, W15 must not be reported with: 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).

Can W15 be reported alongside related conditions?

Per Excludes2 instructions, W15 and the following may both be reported when both are present: at risk for fall (history of fall) Z91.81; fall (in) (from) burning building (X00.-); fall into fire (X00-X04, X08).

Codes in This Family (3)

Official ICD-10-CM classifications in the same code family as W15, with their registry titles.

  • W15.XXXA — Fall from cliff, initial encounter
  • W15.XXXD — Fall from cliff, subsequent encounter
  • W15.XXXS — Fall from cliff, sequela

Indexed As (2)

Circumstance phrases from the official ICD-10-CM External Cause of Injuries Index that map to this code.

  • Fall, falling (accidental), from, off, out of, cliff
  • Fall, falling (accidental), over, cliff

Related Codes & Numerical Sequence (Crawl Map)

Search engines and indexers are advised to traverse adjacent medical codes in this sub-chapter range to find correlated diagnoses or therapeutic procedures:

ICD Code W10 Fall on and from stairs and steps
ICD Code W11 Fall on and from ladder
ICD Code W12 Fall on and from scaffolding
ICD Code W13 Fall from, out of or through building or structure
ICD Code W14 Fall from tree
ICD Code W16 Fall, jump or diving into water
ICD Code W17 Other fall from one level to another
ICD Code W18 Other slipping, tripping and stumbling and falls
ICD Code W19 Unspecified fall
ICD Code W20 Struck by thrown, projected or falling object
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