W16.121
Non-billableFall into natural body of water striking bottom causing drowning and submersion
W16.121 is the ICD-10-CM code for Fall into natural body of water striking bottom causing drowning and submersion. It is a non-billable category code — use a more specific child code such as W16.121A for billing.
V00-Y99 External causes of morbidity
What this means — in plain language
MedlinePlus · NIHPeople drown when they get too much water in their lungs. You can drown in as little as an inch or two of water. Babies can drown in a sink or bathtub. Preschoolers are most likely to drown in a swimming pool. People who have seizure disorders are also at risk in the water. Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Drowning precautions should include: Fences around pools Supervising children near any body of water,…
Read more about Drowning at MedlinePlus ↗Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Informational only — not medical advice.
Excludes1 — not coded here
- •drowning and submersion while in natural body of water without fall (W69)
Frequently asked questions
- What is ICD-10 code W16.121?
- W16.121 is the ICD-10-CM code for "Fall into natural body of water striking bottom causing drowning and submersion". It falls under V00-Y99 External causes of morbidity.
- Is W16.121 a billable code?
- No — W16.121 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code (such as W16.121A) for billing.
- What are the subcodes of W16.121?
- W16.121 has 3 more specific child codes, including W16.121A, W16.121D, W16.121S.
- What is excluded from W16.121?
- Excludes1 (not coded here): drowning and submersion while in natural body of water without fall (W69).
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM FY2026. For informational purposes only — not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.
Look up another ICD-10 code or condition