W74A is the authoritative medical code for Unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion, initial encounter. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion, initial encounter (ICD-10-CM W74A), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with 2026 federal coding standards.
Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code W74A. Inclusion terms: Drowning NOS. Excludes1 (not coded here): accidental drowning and submersion due to fall into water W16.-; accidental drowning and submersion due to water transport accident (V90.-, V92.-). Excludes2 (not included here): accidental drowning and submersion due to cataclysm X34-X39. 7th character: The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code W74.
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for W74A in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Inclusion Terms
Alternative terms the tabular list files under this code.
Excludes1 — Not Coded Here
Conditions that can never be reported with this code; the two are mutually exclusive.
- accidental drowning and submersion due to fall into water W16.-
- accidental drowning and submersion due to water transport accident (V90.-, V92.-)
Excludes2 — Not Included Here
Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.
- accidental drowning and submersion due to cataclysm X34-X39
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
Does W74A require a 7th character?
Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to code W74.
What can't be coded together with W74A?
Per Excludes1 instructions, W74A must not be reported with: accidental drowning and submersion due to fall into water (W16.-); accidental drowning and submersion due to water transport accident (V90.-, V92.-).
Can W74A be reported alongside related conditions?
Per Excludes2 instructions, W74A and the following may both be reported when both are present: accidental drowning and submersion due to cataclysm (X34-X39).
What conditions are included under W74A?
Unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion, initial encounter includes: Drowning NOS.
Codes in This Family (6)
Official ICD-10-CM classifications in the same code family as W74A, with their registry titles.
- W74 — Unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion
- W74.XXXA — Unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion, initial encounter
- W74.XXXD — Unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion, subsequent encounter
- W74.XXXS — Unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion, sequela
- W74D — Unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion, subsequent encounter
- W74S — Unspecified cause of accidental drowning and submersion, sequela
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 W69A
Accidental drowning and submersion while in natural water, initial encounter
ICD Code W73A
Other specified cause of accidental non-transport drowning and submersion, initial encounter